City of Powell River Council has approved an amendment to a development permit to allow Sunset Homes to relocate its affordable rental housing facility southward on its property on Joyce Avenue.
At the council meeting on Thursday, July 18, city council approved the proposal with conditions.
According to a staff report from manager of planning services Jason Gow, in April of last year, staff presented a development permit application for a 34-unit affordable rental apartment building for seniors. Development Permit 215 was approved and issued June 1, 2018.
Gow stated that today, due to cost, the applicant wishes to relocate the building from the Duncan Street side to the southwest corner of the same property near to the proposed access point off Field Street. This move would reduce the length of interior access road required. The applicant also wishes to reduce the number of parking stalls proposed in their initial submission from 68 to 46.
“Both changes will reduce the cost of on-site infrastructure and make the project more viable,” stated Gow.
The relocation of the building and reduction of on-site infrastructure is deemed by staff to have no impact to the proposed development in terms of the development permit guidelines. Gow stated the form and character of the building remains the same as originally proposed, only its location will change if the amendment is approved. The new location is street-oriented, which meets the intent of the guidelines, stated Gow.
Councillor Jim Palm said when council received the initial presentation on the project at the Tuesday, July 16, committee of the whole meeting, the comment from the planner was this was a minor change.
“This is a little bit more than a minor change in my estimation,” said Palm. “View scapes come into effect.”
City officials heard concerns about the project’s height from developer Alan Rebane, whose subdivision is located behind and above the Sunset Homes project.
“I think what we’ll hear from the developer is they will work with our planning people and make things work for everyone in this regard,” said Palm. “I’m very happy he’s proposing a resolution to that effect.”
Palm said there was one question outstanding. He wondered about the servicing of the building and whether there would be changes if the facility moved.
Mayor Dave Formosa said the proponents are asking to move the building’s location, so if there is a cost for moving, they bear the cost. He said it is not going to cost the city anything extra because the proponent has to pay.
Gow said the developer is fully aware of the ramifications of the change.
Councillor Rob Southcott said he had a conversation with Rebane about the view scape and there was nothing in city bylaws that provide protection.
Formosa said he spoke with staff and the Sunset Homes project is within the height bylaw. The property is zoned for this particular project, he said.
He also said to Rebane that it’s not the city’s job to protect view scapes but it is the city’s job to work within the bylaw and ensure heights are kept.
“I suggested he see the planning department, which he did,” said Formosa.
The mayor thanked director of planning services Thomas Knight for going to the property with Rebane, to listen to the concerns. Formosa said the city encourages Rebane to work with the planning department to try and find satisfactory solutions to the views on his property.
Rebane, in the gallery at the council meeting, said the planning department was very professional and gave very good options. Within 48 hours his concerns were resolved.
“I was very happy with the outcome,” said Rebane.
After the meeting, Rebane said his concerns about moving the building from the north to the south side of the lot is that the views in the first two lots of his subdivision would be lost.
“All I want is a little bit of understanding,” said Rebane. “If I want a variance, I need help to lift the houses to get my view back.”
