Council is being asked to take the first step towards supporting bylaw changes that would allow for a 33-lot single detached housing development on Reservoir Road. If supported, two public information sessions would be held before a public hearing in September.
“The proposed subdivision is consistent with the rural residential OCP designation for the area, but the proponents are looking to change the minimum lot size from one hectare to one acre,” says City planner Steven Collyer. “The reason for the change is this proposal would connect to the City’s water system and one acre is generally accepted as a sufficient size for development if municipal water services are available. The one acre size is consistent with the zoning bylaw minimum lot area for country residential zoned properties.”
The subject property is located on the south side of Reservoir Road, east of Naramata Road. The property is 31.5 hectares (78 acres) in size and is currently vacant of any structures. Surrounding land uses include agricultural and rural residential to the west, north, and south, with natural areas and recreational uses to the east upslope leading to Campbell Mountain.
Five hectares (12.25 acres) of the subject property is proposed to be dedicated to the City as public parkland, which will expand the protected area around Campbell Mountain. The public parkland is intended to remain in its natural state, aside from reconfigured mountain bike and hiking trail alignments within this area, connecting into the larger Campbell Mountain trail network.
The property is currently zoned ‘FG (Forestry and Grazing)’ in the Zoning Bylaw, and is designated ‘Rural Residential’ by the Official Community Plan (OCP). The property is also within the Environmental Development Permit Area and the Hillside Development Permit Area, as outlined by the OCP. The applicants are seeking Country Residential zoning.
The proposal is on the agenda for the July 18 council meeting. Watch for an announcement of the dates for the information sessions if Council gives first reading to the proposed bylaw amendments.