On Monday, council gave first and second reading to a zoning amendment bylaw that would allow construction of a 17 home subdivision on Lobelia Drive. (Vanessa Broadbent photo)
By Vanessa Broadbent
Osoyoos Times
An empty lot on Lobelia Drive could be the home of 17 new single-family residences.
At Monday’s meeting, town council gave first and second reading to a zoning amendment, requested by McElhanney Consulting, that will allow construction of a subdivision on a property at 3810 Lobelia Drive.
The current zoning already allows for single-family homes to be developed on the property, but the proposed amendment would allow for more homes on smaller lot sizes.
Previously, the 3.24 acre property has been used for agricultural purposes and was removed from the ALR in October last year.
The property is adjacent to Sonora Pond, which the Town’s senior planner Don McArthur told council is identified as a habitat for several endangered and threatened species, including the Blotched Tiger Salamander, Great Basin Spadefoot Toad and Painted Turtle.
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An environmental impact assessment, provided to the Town with the rezoning application, includes actions to ensure protection of wildlife in the area.
As a result, the Town will require that a 12 to 27 metre buffer zone be designated between the pond and the development and be separated with a fence.
Although the property is adjacent to Highway 97, the provincial Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will not allow access to the highway from the subdivision.
A public hearing will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 19.
