Council delays hearing on Banks housing complex

A public hearing for a proposed seniors’ housing development on Banks Crescent has been postponed to allow district staff more time to compile comments from community members who will come forward at two open houses.

Council approved the delay Monday by a 5-1 vote on the advice of staff, which suggested the postponement will allow elected officials and the public more time to digest whatever information comes forward. Coun. Richard Barkwill was absent. Coun. Doug Holmes cast the lone dissenting vote because of the possible risk of introducing an element of subjectivity when distilling the information.

Preparation of a summary of information presented at public sessions is a common methodology, chief administrative officer Linda Tynan said.

“I don’t have a problem digesting large volumes of information and I don’t need a summary,” Holmes said.

Originally scheduled for Jan. 26, the public hearing will be held soon thereafter at a venue large enough to accommodate the anticipated large number of attendees.

“Something will come to council at its Jan. 23 meeting. There will definitely be a discussion,” Tynan said.

At that time staff should know how much more time, if any, is required to prepare a report.

The proposed development would see the construction of a 380-unit seniors’ housing complex consisting of 230 units of market housing and 100 independent and 50 assisted-living units.

The five buildings would be predominantly six storeys tall and built over three levels of underground parking. The living spaces would be wood-frame construction and the parking structures would be made of concrete.

Zoning on the site would need to be changed from A1-agricultural small acreage to CD8-comprehensive development zone 8.

At the end of Monday’s council meeting, Summerland resident Brian Newlands urged council to require the developer to put up a substantial bond in order to cover the costs of any unanticipated problem, such as earth slippage.

“I’m neither for nor against the development. I simply don’t want taxpayers left with a bill,” Newlands said.