Construction to begin development to one of the largest new subdivisions to be built in Osoyoos in many years should begin very soon after Town of Osoyoos council was informed Tuesday the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) has formally approved development of the Richter property subdivision.

Alain Cunningham, the town’s director of planning and development, informed council at its regular meeting on Tuesday that the ALC and Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) have approved plans to allow for the construction of 24 single-family homes and two duplexes in what has been called the Richter Remainder Property.

The proposed subdivision stretches from 74th Avenue behind the town’s new fire hall over dozens of hectares north heading towards the Osoyoos Golf Course and Osoyoos Baptist Church.

The Richter Property development is the first phase in the formal development of the Southeast Meadowlark subdivision, which will eventually see the construction of more than 200 single-family homes as well as numerous townhouses, condominiums and affordable income units over the next 20 years.

These approvals have now been received and staff requests council to extend the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) around the Richter property remainder and change its land use designation to allow for intensive residential construction, said Cunningham.

The ALC has informed the provincial Registrar of Land Titles to remove the ALR notation from certificate of title for the Richter property, he said.

Obtaining MoTI approval has been more protracted because of their concerns with how the town would allow access from Highway No. 97 to this new subdivision, he said.

“Initially they wanted the town to place a restrictive ‘no build’ covenant on the property until such time as a public road is dedicated and constructed to municipal standards through the subject property from 74 Avenue to Wren Place.

However, they subsequently accepted True Consulting’s subdivision plan as proof that highway access would be limited to 74th Avenue and Wren Place and would not come directly from the subdivision itself, said Cunningham.

Tender calls have gone out for subdivision servicing with a target of recommending contractor selection to council at their next meeting on Sept. 19, said Cunningham.

Lot sales should begin very soon, he said.

Staff will also pick up discussions with Hart Buchendahl of Ellcar Construction on purchasing his first four lots so he can start house construction as quickly as possible, said Cunningham.

“Arrangements will be made so he can proceed building during the same time as servicing is being installed, which will also save time,” he said.

Getting approval from the ALC and MoTI has taken some time, but all hurdles have now been cleared and he expects construction will begin soon after the tendering process is completed, he said.

This past summer, council approved an option to turn a popular pond that will surround much of the new Richter Property subdivision into a protected environmental area.

Mayor Sue McKortoff said she’s excited that the ALC and ministry have signed off and construction on this Richter property should begin within weeks.

“We’re quite glad to hear we’re going to get this going and off the ground,” she said. “We need to get this show on the road.”

Council also approved third and final reading on Tuesday of a bylaw amendment that would allow the development of a new 18-duplex subdivision to be built near 92nd Avenue on an old gravel pit behind the current Elks Lodge.

Dilys Huang, the town’s senior planner, said she will work with  the applicant to complete the development permit and building permit processes to ensure construction of this project will continue to move ahead.

Further steps that need to be completed include a cost-sharing agreement to complete off-site upgrades for the reconstruction of Braeburn Place and the section of 92nd Avenue fronting the subject property between 87th Street and Braeburn Place, she said.

A stormwater management plan for the proposed development and some other minor steps must also be completed, she said.

Some neighbours wanted assurances that upgrades to 92nd Avenue will be ensured once construction of the duplexes begins and the town has committed to working with the developer to ensure those upgrades are completed, she said.

KEITH LACEY

Osoyoos Times