Revised Kootenay Avenue housing plans up for consideration at tonight's City Council session

 

Residents of the Kootenay Avenue area should learn more about
what's planned for the site located on the north side of the street
as part of tonight's Council session

With some key revisions to a proposed housing development on the west side now up for consideration, Prince Rupert City Council will look to move forward with a development permit for the Kootenay Avenue area tonight.

At this evening's session, council will learn more about the plans for removal of existing buildings and the construction of new residences, as well as to retain  existing buildings that currently host 10 residential units all along a significant stretch of Kootenay.

In total once completed the area will feature 30 residential units, a reduction of density of eight dwelling units.

The report for Council prepared by Chris Buchan from the city's contract planner Iplan provides the details to the proposed development of the area and notes how the proponent had responded to some community feedback when the project was last put to residents last fall.

This lower proposed density is a direct result of the applicant’s previous application for a rezoning of this same property. After receiving negative public comments directed towards an increase in density the Rezoning Application was subsequently withdrawn. This new application responds to the public feedback with a lower density that fully complies with the General Multi-Family Development Permit Guidelines, Zoning Bylaw, and Official Community Plan. 

This application does not require any variances as it meets all applicable guidelines and proposes a density well below what is required for an RM1 Zone. Plans and supplemental information provided by the applicant are included with this report.

The area of note for proposed redevelopment of housing
along Kootenay Avenue
(map from December 7, 2020 Council session Agenda)

As the proposal does not require any rezoning, Mr. Buchan is advising Council that there will be no need for any further public consultation on the planned work.

Public consultation is not required for a development permit. Prior to this development permit application, the applicant submitted an application for rezoning. This rezoning process involved public consultation resulting in negative feedback with respect to the proposed density. The applicant responded to this feedback by withdrawing the rezoning application. The new proposed density for this site is below the maximum allowable density. 

As noted in the applicant’s letter, attached to this report, the proposed development complies with the City’s Multi-Family Housing Development Permit Guidelines and does not exceed the maximum allowable density defined under the RM1 Zone. As this development will result in a lower density than on the current site, there are no significant negative impacts to the surrounding neighbourhood. The replacement of older buildings with new buildings will be a positive improvement to the neighborhood.

As we observed In January, some work is already underway along the property that runs along Kootenay Avenue, with the area fenced off as part of the progress underway.

You can review Mr. Buchan's full report for Council from the City Council Agenda package for tonights council session.

For more notes on past Housing themes for Council see our housing page here.

A wider overview of past Council Discussion themes can be explored here.