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THURSDAY, July 22, 2021 • 5
NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Developer considers rezoning plans on Voght From Page 3
PHELAN SENIOR CITIZEN SOCIETY
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Wednesday, August 4 at 7 2336 Jackson Avenue
PM
whereas the current zoning requires a combination of townhomes and modular which has presented a little bit of a FOR MORE INFO CONTACT: 250-315-7024 problem for us with regards to finding partners that will develop the townhouse site, as well as the modular site separately. Modular communities typically are inclusive communities all upon themselves, where you don’t see a mix of commercial or high density residential within a modular home type development, they’re typically on their own and MERRITT they function that way,” Melenka continued. Adding to the difficulty in securing a development partner is the fact that Spayum Holdings will continue to hold the land rather than sell it upon completion of the project. A development partner was found through a request for proposals process, and preliminary conversations regardWe would to 24 congratulate LEGION WEEKlike JUNE -30, 2019 our recent recipients of our ing the plans have taken place, but Melenka said that the project could only move ahead with this partner if the 93 Years Serving Canadians Royal Canadian Legion Branch 096 Bursaries townhouses were eliminated from the design through the proposed rezoning. IN CELEBRATION When the proposal first came before council with a request for R4 Zoning, council raised concerns of what the Come join us Saturday June 29, 2019and development would look like from Voght St. ALL FAMILIES PEOPLE OVER THE AGE We wish youOFall the best in your future endeavors. WELCOME 19 WELCOME As Voght was previously considered a highway, properties backed the road, rather than facing out. Now, Voght is To our patio area for To join us for Free Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, meat draws in the Lounge considered a main thoroughfare for the City of Merritt, and, as such, there has been a desire to have buildings face Royal2:30pm Canadian Legion Branch 96 Pop and Water until ? the street and provide a more welcoming atmosphere than the row of fences currently seen. With an R4 Zoning, the 11am until 2pm Box 527 Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 • 250 378-5631 modular homes would back Voght, whereas the suggested townhouses would face out. e music Enjoy th Melenka said he understands council’s concerns regarding the streetscape of Voght, but of that this is not the time for that to be considered. LOST “Those elements of design are typically something that’s dealt with at what’s referred to as the development permit process,” said Melenka. DOG “So, where fencing goes, what the height of fencing is, what materials there are, how the BAND in the afternoon vegetation and landscape plan looks, those are elements that are handled further on down from 1pm until 4pm in the Lounge the planning process. Where we are now is simply at a rezoning, so whether or not the use is appropriate for this location and that’s really council’s main consideration in cases of land use.” In consulting with neighbouring property owners, particularly those on Parker Dr., Melenka said that they had expressed concern with the townhouses, worried that the allowable three or four stories would impede their view, although the townhouses were intended to We’re excited to get back on the ice and able to offer be two storeys in height. “The removal of the townhouses to a single-story product helps satisfy some of that,” said Melenka. “There was some expressed concern from those living along Burgess who backed onto the in Merritt, at the Merritt Rec Center. site that they didn’t want to have too many or any units above them, looking down on them.” In response, the proposed number of modular homes that overlook Burgess was reduced CHOOSE ONE WEEK, OR PARTICIPATE IN ALL THREE from 22 to 17. Overall, the conceptual design would change from a total of 52 modular homes and 15 townhouses to a complete community of 46 modular homes. This is a great way to keep the kids active but cool, “From a streetscape perspective… we’ve actually reduced the number of dwellings along and to keep their skills up going in to the season. Voght which also might help with reducing the massing that you might see on Voght if it was WEEK 1: MON., AUG 16 TO FRI., AUG 20: just townhouses side by side by side,” said Melenka, who said the new proposal would also assist the City with Phase Two of the Voght St. improvement project by allowing for road from 3:00pm - 5:00pm allowances and road dedication for various infrastructure. WEEK 2: MON., AUG 23 TO FR.,I AUG 27 This would include part of the property which is needed to construct a roundabout, as from 8:00am - 10:45am with off ice from 10:15am - 10:45am well as widening the road and connecting Grimmett St. to Spring Bank Ave. WEEK 3: MON., AUG 30 TO FRI., SEPT 3: “In order for them to install and construct a traffic circle, they would have to acquire lands from 8:30am - 11:15am with off ice from 10:45am - 11:15am within our property, so the subdivision would help facilitate that,” said Melenka. “Without a subdivision it becomes difficult because the City would have to look at This summer camp will focus on training, jumps, spins, and skills. approaching Spayum to either purchase the lands or expropriate the land.” We accept all levels from Canskate Stage 5 and up; any questions or concerns Susan Roline, a board member of Spayum Holdings LLP said that Spayum had done about levels can be discussed before hand. their “due diligence” when it came to determining a use for the land after the Grasslands Hotel burned down more than a decade ago, conducting a study which indicated that it Visit our website: www.hdcfss.ca www.hdcfss.ca, phone 250-589-6932 would be best suited to residential. or email: highlanddevelopmentcamp@gmail.com for registration. “It satisfies a medium range housing choice within the community.”
Congratulations!
Mason Hintz
Brodie Sterling
Join us for our
SKATING CAMP being held this August
Quilchena Canna Company
Quilchena Cannabis Co.
MU
WEEKLY SKATING CAMPS
S T BE
19+
For more information stop by Unit B-1937 Quilchena Ave., Merritt BC or call 250-378-5
420
