The saga continues for a resident of a Thetis Heights neighbourhood in Langford who fears the worst in relation to a neighbouring development.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 trying to figure out what theyB次元官网网址檒l leave me with,B次元官网网址� said Tony Jennings, whose property on Nicki Place backs onto a residential construction site at 300 Phelps Ave.
The land behind him was once covered in trees, a forest view he said was the reason he chose his home in the Nicki Place strata development, and paid an extra $20,000 to $30,000. But the loss of green space isnB次元官网网址檛 what has him most upset.
Jennings is concerned about what could soon be staring back at him and possibly into his childrenB次元官网网址檚 bedrooms. He was shocked to find out there is no formal process for further public input after a property is rezoned.
B次元官网网址淟angford is telling me that once itB次元官网网址檚 rezoned thereB次元官网网址檚 nothing you can do,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚t makes absolutely no sense.B次元官网网址�
While Jennings voiced his concerns about the multi-unit townhome development last year during the rezoning process, he thought he would get another chance to have his say once development permits were filed for approval.
A real estate listing for the property, unveiled last summer after council voted to rezone the land, showed several artist renderings of the project, one of which showed seven roughly three-storey townhouse units. With the building permit applications still being reviewed by the City, this visual remains all that residents have seen of plans for the site.
Langford planning director Matthew Baldwin confirmed the property is zoned to allow a maximum building height of nine metres, the same as adjoining properties to the north.
Such a limit typically allows for a structure of two-and-a-half storeys on flat land, he said. Since height is measured from the average finished grade, he added, it could be possible to create a partial third storey on sloping land.
If something at the top end of those height restrictions is built, it could overlook JenningsB次元官网网址� home, the only one on Nicki Place that, once blasting is finished, will be on roughly the same grade as the development.
Other neighbours backing onto 300 Phelps Ave. are roughly 10 to 15 feet above grade.
B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檙e going to place something there thatB次元官网网址檚 going to look directly into my daughterB次元官网网址檚 bedroom, my sonB次元官网网址檚 bedroom and my kitchen,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址�(The) building and planning (departments) have some responsibility to the Langford residents (who are) already there.B次元官网网址�
His solution to the problem is simple. He wants to see the last unit, the one that would be behind his house, turned sideways. This B次元官网网址渨in-winB次元官网网址� solution as he called it, would see that last unit have a forest view of the Thetis Lake trails and would still allow him some privacy.
When contacted by the Gazette, Martin Schenk, owner of Eagle Pacific Developments, the project construction manager for property owner Norkess Development Inc., said he had not heard any concerns from neighbours.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 surprised. ItB次元官网网址檚 a really nice development,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e there to keep the neighbours happy.B次元官网网址�
The current site plans, he said, call for seven buildings with four units in each for a total of 28 townhouses, on which construction is planned to start in March.
B次元官网网址淲e may be able to alter the design,B次元官网网址� Schenk said, adding they are more than willing to work with neighbours to try to find a solution that works for all parties. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 going to be an adjustment B次元官网网址� WeB次元官网网址檙e on their side, we understand.B次元官网网址�
Told of the potential for flexibility, Jennings was happy to hear that Schenk was willing to listen to his concerns.
Eagle Pacific has a good reputation in the community for working with neighbouring residents and keeping them happy, Schenk said, noting that this development would be no different.
Baldwin said while no formal process exists for public input after a rezoning, he is always happy to discuss as much of an development permit application as he can with residents such as Jennings who may have any concerns.
katie@goldstreamgazette.com
