The potential for eight residences on a quiet cul-de-sac was too much for Kelowna council to approve at a public hearing Feb. 14.

Councillors denied a proposed rezoning to allow a two-lot subdivision at 662 Berk Court, located in the North Mission-Crawford area.

The developer was intending to build two duplexes totalling four units on the property. However, the rezoning would allow secondary suites with the potential for eight residences.

Council was also concerned, as were neighbours at the hearing, about increased traffic, potential parking issues, and whether mature trees on the property would be saved.

Coun. Charlie Hodge, who voted against the rezoning, said he was torn, pointing out that the city needs housing, but was concerned about the potential for eight residences under the rezoning.

含羞草研究社淭his council has created this zone, and now we含羞草研究社檝e found the flaw in it.含羞草研究社�

The issues were also too much for Mayor Tom Dyas.

含羞草研究社淢y personal feeling is that at this point in time without the clarity we含羞草研究社檙e giving, it disrupts the neighbourhood,含羞草研究社� he said.

In supporting the application, Coun. Loyal Wooldridge noted that council may want to revisit its zoning bylaw.

含羞草研究社淭his is going to be the challenge as we wrestle with building more in neighbourhoods,含羞草研究社� he added.

Many neighbours who spoke against the development said it would change the 含羞草研究社榲ibe含羞草研究社� of their community, something Coun. Rick Webber called a 含羞草研究社榳eak argument.含羞草研究社�

含羞草研究社淲e don含羞草研究社檛 know that, the people that move in might be nice, you might be really glad they moved in. They might have a dog and a kid, but it含羞草研究社檚 a prejudice.含羞草研究社�

During another public hearing later in the evening, council did approve similar rezoning for a property at 4371 Lakeshore Road. That application offered a covenant limiting a proposed duplex development to four units.

Coun. Wooldridge then put forth a motion directing staff to bring forward a report regarding the implications associated with the possible elimination of secondary suites within the RU4 zone.

含羞草研究社淚 think it含羞草研究社檚 only fair to applicants to understand where council is coming from.含羞草研究社�

The motion was passed by council.

READ MORE: Managing public open mic would be difficult: Kelowna council

gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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