Town council has been asked to consider a different zoning for the Forbes property at 210 Co-op Avenue.
At last week’s committee of the whole meeting, property owners Bryan and Shelley Judd addressed council in hopes to have the “high density” designation changed.
The 7.4-acre property, located between Sawmill Road and the Kinsmen water park, is destined for high density residential under the official community plan.
It has been for sale since February of 2013, and during the first year of listing there was virtually no interest in the property, according to the Judds.
In 2014 they received an offer to purchase from a local developer.
The sale was contingent on the developer being satisfied with the Town’s future plans for the property.
The Judds said the developer was proposing a single family development rather than high density.
He cited a number of concerns with the suitability of the property for high-density construction (and the sale of such property).
The developer said other high-density developments in Oliver have not been successful and have remained incomplete or unsold.
He noted the market for high-density accommodations is “exceptionally poor.”
The Judds said a local developer was prepared to make a significant investment in a housing project that would have brought a number of new families to town, but discussions with Town staff reaffirmed the proposed zoning.
They said evidence indicates that people who are considering moving to Oliver are not looking for high-density housing.
“We believe that the Town of Oliver and our community as a whole would benefit from the addition of new families in its central core,” said the Judds.
“It would help support the demand for (single family) housing we all hope will come with employment as the new prison is built.”
Municipal Manager Tom Szalay said if the Town wanted single family developments on that property, it would have to change the Official Community Plan.
According to Szalay, single family housing does not sell well in town.
Mayor Ron Hovanes said they live in a hemmed-in community because the Town has such a small footprint.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
