COURTENAY, B.C- Residents near Menzies Avenue and 2nd Street will get a chance to speak their minds about development in their neighbourhood in February.
A proposal for more housing at the intersection of both routes was discussed by Courtenay city council on Monday night. The project, which is being put together by Heritage Revival Homes, would see the construction of two four-plexes on a lot which sits at the corner.
Each of the eight apartments planned would have two bedrooms, a parking spot with electric charging, and a dry bicycle garage. The expected cost is around $260,000 each.
According to the information presented to council, the development is planned to encourage cycling and the use of electric vehicles, and is located close to transit services. However, the area would have to be re-zoned by the city in order to allow for the units to be built.
While city staff supported the idea, the reception around the council chamber was mixed. Concerns were expressed about the development’s location, close to the curve of Menzies towards the Puntledge Park area, as well as the possibility of additional traffic.
Mayor Larry Jangula had voiced concerns about the project, which he believed lacked enough parking space.
“My experience is that home owners often have more than one vehicle, and most homeowners that I know have guests come and visit them,” said Jangula, reached on Tuesday.
“There is absolutely no place for these people to park, and I expect that we’ll hear more about that.”
While the re-zoning of the property remains unapproved, the proposal was scheduled for a public hearing on February 5. A requirement for the developer was also put forward, which would see the units prevented for being used as short-term rental space.
Council will have the opportunity to hear back from residents of the area on February 5. Councillor Doug Hillian, who mentioned during discussion that he lived near the area of the proposed development, expects a large response.
“We do have, as a goal, to do infill development in the city and increase the density, rather than have development sprawl into outlying areas, but it depends on the situation in each individual neighborhood,” said Hillian.
“I do know that it’s an older part of town, in many ways it’s a heritage area, so people will have strong feelings about that.”
Jangula echoed Hillian.
“I think we’re going to have a very interesting public hearing on that in a couple of weeks,” he said.
