A rezoning application for a future residential/commercial development northeast of J.L. Jackson Secondary is on its way to council.
Presented at the Dec. 2 Salmon Arm development planning and services committee meeting, the application is to rezone two adjacent parcels at 900 and 980 16th St. NE, (north of the Service BC Centre) from P3 Institutional and C3 Service Commercial to C6 Tourist Recreation Commercial. The property's owner, Kalraun Developments Inc., is seeking the rezoning to allow for potential future commercial and residential use.
"A concept for a 6-level building with 120 residential units for seniors and 9 ground-level commercial units has been provided at this preliminary stage," reads a related city staff report.
Noting the proposed use aligns with the city's official community plan, staff were supportive of the rezoning, recommending final reading be subject to completion of a traffic impact assessment (TIA), the registration of a covenant addressing the findings and recommendations of the TIA, and approval by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
While supportive of the application proceeding to council, Coun. Tim Lavery made note of the developer's absence and asked if there would be an opportunity to ask questions of them at first reading. Planning and services director Gary Buxton said questions staff are unable to answer could be directed to the applicant.
"This is a very interesting proposal coming forward," said Lavery. "I have… questions that are not central to my support… of this project and I think this is the time and place to do it, so I find it a bit disappointing that any applicant doesn't come forward at the planning stage."
Lavery stressed "procedure wise, this is the purpose of planning committees, to have a more wide-ranging discussion…"
Speaking to process, Mayor Alan Harrison said with Bill 44 in place, "when planning happens that's our opportunity to interact with developers."
"When we lose that opportunity, we used to have the public hearing piece which then, of course, we can engage," said Harrison. "So now, without that, it leaves us in a difficult spot. My own sense is if their representative regarding this development is not able to make the regular council meeting… that I would be in favour of deferring council's consideration of this development until such a time as they can attend."
Harrison went on to say he supported the rezoning of the properties and their consolidation.
"I'm really pleased to see both the commercial on the ground floor, underground parking, and residential on top, I think it's exactly what's needed there," said Harrison. "But the process piece is important to me. So I will implore the representative of the developer to make sure that they're in attendance at the council meeting."
