A drawing provided as an attachment to the report to council shows the proposed site layout for the 47-unit townhome development on Peanut Lake, commonly called “Peanut Pond.” It includes a mix of housing styles with the three-storey (Plan D) along Main Street. Vedette Drive, the main access, would be fully reconstructed.
A 47-unit townhome development proposal for two vacant parcels at Peanut Lake has received the initial green light from Osoyoos town council.
If approved, the strata subdivision project would require a full reconstruction of Vedette Drive, the current access to several existing strata developments.
The properties are located southeast of the Super 8 Motel and are situated between Main Street and Peanut Lake, often known locally as “Peanut Pond.”
The landowner is Desert Lagoons Ltd. and the applicant is Kevin Welsh of Precision Building Design. The developer plans a public information meeting on Nov. 29 and neighbouring residents have been notified.
The property had been previously approved for a mixed-use medical-commercial building and three residential buildings with maximum heights of eight storeys.
In September 2010, council approved an amendment to the Official Community Plan (OCP) and a zoning bylaw amendment for that project, which later fell through.
On Monday, the new town council gave the first two readings to bylaws to again amend the OCP and change the zoning to fit the new proposal. They also set a public hearing date of Dec. 17 at 4 p.m. in the council chambers.
“I really like this proposal,” said Councillor C.J. Rhodes before adding a cautionary note about the volume of traffic that already cuts through the parking lot of the Lakeview (Red Apple) Plaza, down Valiant Lane and onto Vedette.
Mayor Sue McKortoff added that the Super 8 is also in the process of expanding.
“That sounds like an interesting plan,” McKortoff said of the proposal. “It somehow fits into our town renewal project.”
While designated access to the new development would be by Vedette Drive, there has been resistance from both local residents and businesses to closing access through the parking lot.
The previous rezoning in 2010 for the aborted medical centre changed part of the land to a comprehensive development (CD) zoning and left part as high-density residential (HR).
If the current proposal is approved, both properties would again be zoned HR.
“The HR designation is consistent with properties north and south, adjacent to Peanut Pond,” said Gina MacKay, Town of Osoyoos director of planning and development, in a report to council.
In addition to the 47 townhome units, 14 of these would also have basement suites that owners can rent out.
“It is anticipated that these suites will provide much-needed market rental housing for local residents,” said MacKay in her report. “The suites will also provide for mortgage helpers. Each suite will have its own designated parking pad.”
A mortgage helper is a rental suite that enables the buyer to pay off a mortgage faster or to qualify for a higher level of borrowing by showing rental income.
Even with the 14 rental suites, the proposed development will be well within the maximum density of 75 units per hectare. The site is 2.3 ha or 5.6 acres.
MacKay noted that the OCP seeks to accommodate a range of housing densities throughout the town.
“Higher density developments are encouraged to locate close to the town centre and within walking distance of daily needs,” MacKay wrote.
“Staff recommends approval as the proposed amendment to the OCP and zoning bylaw will enable a new townhome development in our community,” MacKay wrote. “The development will take advantage of this great location within walking distance to Lakeview Plaza, Gateway Plaza, the downtown and public transit.”
After the Dec. 17 public hearing and subsequent third reading of the bylaws if council approves, the bylaw adoption will be placed on hold until required information for a development permit is received and reviewed, MacKay said.
The development would include a future pedestrian trail along the edge of Peanut Lake along a public easement.
“Actual construction of the trail will not take place until such time as the mobile home park at 9102 (Main Street) is redeveloped, at which time the town will secure the trail connection to 89th Avenue,” MacKay wrote.
Plans for the townhomes suggest they would range in size between 2,000 and 2,400 square feet with a mix of three-storey buildings and ranchers.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
Oh well, these can’t possibly be any uglier than the overpriced “Yaletown look” boxes being built across from the new fire hall on Hwy. 97. I just wonder if the developers will have the gall to market them as lake view.
So why would they be considering closing access from the Lakeview Plaza parking lot? You could run a freeway through there without affecting the mall’s tenants. No doubt it’s the residents of Adobe Sands who are the ones questioning that option.
I agree with John. Those houses are the ugliest things ever, and right along the hwy where people have to look at them. I bet the designer of those is too embarrassed to let his/her name known.
Whatever happened to the “Southwest” theme that the town had?? That was a wonderful idea. When we first drove through Osoyoos, we were awestruck when we saw the SW adobe style buildings. We thought maybe we were in New Mexico or Arizona. We loved it!
They need to be maximum 2 stories high