By Madeline Baker, Times Chronicle
After an uneventful public hearing, Osoyoos Town Council took another step toward allowing a property in the Meadowlark Plan Area to be subdivided into two residential lots by approving the final of three readings of the related zoning amendment bylaw.
The property at 9 Wren Place is currently a single family residential lot occupied by a home that the owner, Robert Conci, has used as a short-term rental for a length of time. If the rezoning to single family residential small lot is approved, Conci plans to add another home to the property for his own short-term use and, eventually, as another rental.
The rezoning came to council with the town of Osoyoos’ recommendation because the Meadowlark Plan Area, which is designated as medium to high density residential in the Official Community Plan, has been highlighted as an area that is well suited to “intensive residential development” and diversification of available housing options.
It also falls within the Agricultural Land Commission’s reserve lands, so Conci will also have to be approved by the ALC before any ground can be broken on his proposed new property developments. He will also have to pay out of pocket for some costly servicing to the new lot, to which he has agreed.
Southeast Meadowlark area plan which dates from 2010.
Council received two letters of objection from the public after the first and second readings of the necessary rezoning amendment occurred at their January 24 meeting, both from locals who argued that Conci’s renters have caused constant problems for the neighbourhood and bylaw officers alike.
“Having one lot that would accommodate three or more different rentals is completely unimaginable and would create great strife for all the surrounding neighbours,” wrote Lori Ferreira, who also added that enforcing the 30-day rental minimum did nothing to assuage her concerns.
Jared Law and Kristen Garner referred to Conci’s current rental as “a property of concern” and described Conci himself as “generally unavailable and indifferent to this property,” which is why they argued that “adding another building that could house multiple residences would be detrimental to the residents of Wren Place.”
Conci spoke on his own behalf at the public hearing to clarify that he does not intend to host any more short-term renters, and that any current and future rentals of the property will follow the legal minimum of 30 days.
With no public presentations in person or online, and little discussion among council members, the hearing came to a close and the third reading was approved. If the ALC also approves the application to have the property removed from their land reserve, council will give their final word on the rezoning at a future meeting.
