Vancouver developer Chris Morardian made a special presentation to Town of Osoyoos council on Monday detailing his vision to develop a 175-unit housing development across from the Walnut Beach Resort on Lakeshore Drive in Osoyoos. The development would feature townhouses, condos and single-family homes as well as several community amenities, said Morardian. (Keith Lacey photo)
A Vancouver developer presented his vision to Town of Osoyoos council on Monday to build a 200-unit housing development that would feature condos, townhouses, single family homes that would be built across from the Walnut Beach Hotel on the old par three golf course on Lakeshore Drive.
Chris Morardian of RLC Strategic Capital Management Corp. presented his conceptual plan to build more than 200 units at 4217 Lakeshore Drive (Old Par Three Golf Course) property.
Back in January, Morardian submitted a joint Official Community Plan (OCP) and zoning application to the town to amend the tourist commercial zoning for this property to mixed-use comprehensive development.
The intent of Morardian’s presentation on Monday was to apprize council of the developer’s intentions and obtain any feedback from council that would be used for improving the application process.
Morardian told council that his proposed development would take several years to build – if the town and provincial authorities approve it – and would be developed in “six or seven phases” over several years.
Alain Cunningham, the town’s director of planning and development services, said this introductory meeting is for information only and told members of council they “can’t tie their legislative hands by providing any confirmation of whether they should or would not support” the rezoning application.
The proposed development would see 54 three or four-storey townhouses built sloping down towards Osoyoos Lake from the top of a bluff above Lakeshore Drive.
Dozens of single family homes that would range from 1,400 to 1,800 square feet would also be built on smaller lots in the 40 by 70 foot range, said Morardian.
Many of these “would be affordable homes” that would appeal to young families and “empty nesters” who are a bit older, but don’t want the expense or responsibility that comes with owning a large executive home, he said.
The plan also calls for 60 condo units to be erected in a four-storey apartment complex.
The development would be surrounded by a boardwalk and farmer’s market that could also include an artist studio, attractive ponds and convenience store, he said.
Morardian said he would also be interested in pursuing building a new small marina across from the property on Osoyoos Lake that would be easily accessible for property owners who lived in the development.
“Everything is conceptual at this point,” said Morardian. “We’re just looking at all of our options at this point.”
A large pump house owned by the East Bench Irrigation District is located on this land and civil engineers are looking at ways to use this facility as part of the development, he said.
Mayor Sue McKortoff said she appreciated Morardian making the trip to appear before council and concurred that it will take a lot more time and effort before the proposal is approved.
“We would have to have public hearings and you would have to contact the neighbours,” she said.
There are executive homes located above the side of the hill where the townhouses are located and those homeowners have a beautiful view of Osoyoos Lake and wouldn’t want that view obstructed by this development, said Morardian.
The townhouses would be built in a way that no views would be obstructed in any way, he said.
McKortoff thanked Morardian for his presentation and wished him luck moving forward with his plans for this site.
Morardian will continue to work with Cunningham as planning and preparation for more detailed development plans are unveiled in future months and years.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
