More amendments.
Osoyoos Town Council set two public hearings for Monday, December 12 at 7 p.m. in the Sonora Centre.
The announcements came during the November 21 council meeting.
First announced was a Rezoning and OCP amendment application from F.M. Shah Building Design Limited in order to develop Cactus Ridge Estates, an 84-unit senior assisted living facility on Main Street and Finch Crescent.
The subject property is currently zoned R1 (Single Family Residential) and the applicant has requested the zone be amended to P1 (Private and Public Institution).
Resident Jerry Albo, who spoke out against the zoning and OCP amendments at the November 7 council meeting, spoke out again at the November 21 meeting.
His argument that the development is inappropriate for the location was still the main focus of his opposition, but Albo's comments went beyond the proposal at hand to recommend ways council could improve the process of future amendments.
Council tabled first reading on November 7 in order to consult with the OCP Review Committee. That meeting took place November 8.
The OCP Review Committee looked at the application and a report was submitted by OCP Chair Jean Gubby. The report looked at the following four criteria:rn1) Close proximity for seniors to downtown activities, medical/pharmacy facilities, convenience of shopping and services, and passive park opportunities for walking and recreation;rn2) Convenient and safe vehicular access for building residents and visitors;rn3) Accessible and safe walking opportu-nities for seniors, assuming different physical abilities;rn4) Compatibility of surrounding uses for well being of seniors.
Gubby further noted that the committee only concerned itself with the question as to whether the site was generally suitable for rezoning as P1 under the OCP. The committee did not address specific site development issues such as building size, form and appearance, and site layout and servicing.
Albo pointed out that, according to the OCP Review Committee report, the proposed location does not satisfy much of the criteria.
The report does state that the facility does not provide safe and easy access to real services. It further states that there is potential danger in access to Main Street for those who drive and for those who walk. There are steep walking grades all around, Albo said.
The report goes on to state that there are potential pedestrian-vehicular conflicts, he added.
The only criterion that appears to be satisfied, according to the OCP Committee report, is that the surrounding residential and commer-cial uses are compatible with a seniors' residence.
Albo emphasized that the people most affected by any proposed development or OCP/zoning amendment should be notified first when an application is on the table. He also said council needs to improve the process by allowing easy access to information and by providing clear rationale to the community.
If the decision is to proceed, a sign needs to be posted, such as most cities use, stating that the property is under consideration for an OCP zoning amendment. As well, newspaper ads advising the public of the application and steps to be followed need to be published, Albo said.
Albo also suggested that a seniors' assisted living facility would make better sense being closer to the Seniors Centre and the Osoyoos Museum, affording residents social and volunteer opportunities.
When the zoning amendment came before council, councillor Bud Fraser made a motion to give first reading to the OCP and zoning amendments and to set a public hearing. Councillor Dick Flintoft seconded the motion.
Council agreed that in order to give all of the public an opportunity to speak on the amendments, a public hearing would be necessary.
To deal with this in a fair and equitable manner, council has no choice but to give this first reading and go to a public hearing so that all sides can present their cases, Fraser said.
