Ten three-bedroom townhomes are destined for the University Heights area, just by Quest.
On Nov. 2, council voted 5-1 to approve a development permit with variances. Mayor Karen Elliott was the sole elected official who was opposed, while Coun. Jenna Stoner did not vote, as she was absent due to her maternity leave.
As a result, a development permit will be issued to University Heights Development Corp.
The permit allows 10 townhouse units, each about 160 square metres, or 1,700 square feet, with garages providing two parking spaces. Bicycle parking is also included.
Some of the conditions of the permit include registration of a statutory right of way for public access over the Ring Creek trail and a right of way for public access adjacent to the drive aisle through the subject property.
It also asks the developer to commit to renewable energy for heating and hot water, while also directing the proponent to work with staff to explore reasonable ways to maintain access through the site during construction.
The lot is currently undeveloped, with a trail providing access to the adjacent park running through the site and the Ring Creek Falls trail running through the western portion of the property.
In return, council is granting the proponent a variance to reduce the front setback for a shared waste enclosure for the townhouse development. This would cut the setback to three metres, down from 7.62 metres.
The idea would be to allow more space for garbage trucks to access the shared waste room.
Elliott said that she had no problem with variance, but voted against the motion because she had other issues with the proposal.
"I think there is one townhome too many on this site," she said.
"The interface to the park makes no sense to me. You basically walk right up to someone's front door from the park, and I feel like there should be a setback from that."
Elliott said it's doesn't make sense that there's no buffer between the end of the park and the first townhome.
"There's not a lot of breathing room for those that have larger work trucks that don't fit in garages? Where do those go? Maybe they shouldn't live there?" she said.
Coun. Armand Hurford said he reluctantly supported the motion.
He said that given the constraints of the site, even if the proposal gets sent back to the developer, they'd likely return with something that looks similar.
