It’s been five months after the last public meeting concerning the development of the former site of the Bungalow Motel, and the momentum has slowed.
During a lengthy March 7 council meeting, Council voted 4-1 in favour of the village staff recommendation to halt further readings of the zoning amendment where the Bungalow Motel once stood at 511 Lillooet Avenue. Coun. Ray Hooper was opposed.
Throughout last summer and fall, Harrison Hot Springs residents had multiple opportunities to voice their opinions and concerns about the potential housing development planned for the Lillooet Avenue site. The proposed development would have about 1,000 square feet of commercial space and 124 dwellings or condos to be used for permanent or short-term tourism housing. The current plan calls for 136 parking stalls housed in a two-storey parkade. Current plans also include a common amenity area on the top floor as well as an on-site courtyard.
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Residents who came to the meetings had a variety of concerns, but there were no meeting attendants that voiced outright opposition to the new development. These concerns included environmental impact, parking accommodations for RVs and boats, encroachment on neighbouring properties and fire safety.
During the question period of Monday’s meeting, Janne Perrin expressed her disappointment in council for the number of trees routinely removed, calling the current tree removal practices outdated.
“I would urge council to protect every huge tree.,” Perrin said. “We suffered devastating floods and heat dome last year (due to climate change). I hope you’ll start changing development practices. There’s no time to waste.”
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Coun. Hooper said, among other comments, he was concerned there would not be adequate special needs units for those living with disabilities. Coun. Gerry Palmer said he, too, would like more detailed information in order to make the most informed decision possible.
“It’s useful to get all that information,” Palmer said. “I can’t see anything that makes me feel anymore favourably about the development at this stage, but I’m grateful to see this put on hold while we gather more information.”
Village staff recommended further readings only after a list of nine documents or objectives has been completed. The recommended prerequisites are:
1. A view impact study
2. A sun/shade review
3. A tree survey, including on-site and bordering trees
4. A parking plan, including impacts to existing parking spaces in the boat launch parking area.
5. A local traffic impact study
6. A crime prevention through environmental design review
7. Complete negotiations per the Community Amenity Contributions policy
8. Information from the applicant on reducing the project’s carbon footprint
9. Ensuring all on-site parking requirements have been met or arrangements have been made to address the issue.
Alvin Bartel, the project’s architect, said construction could begin as early as this summer, but it’s unclear how the new staff recommendations will change that timeline.
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In other council business:
– Council voted 3-1, to approve no parking signage for installation on parts of Pine Avenue and McCombs Drive to restrict parking on one side. Coun. Hooper opposed and Coun. Samantha Piper excused herself from the vote due to a potential conflict of interest. By prohibiting parking in those areas, councillors hope to make them safer for pedestrians and to prevent parking from disrupting the use of the walking trail adjacent to McCombs Drive.
– Council unanimously approved re-opening public and municipal property to third-party rentals, provided that they comply with current COVID-19 public health requirements.
– Council unanimously approved the 2022-2026 financial plan.
– Adriana McMullen and Rob Ringma of B.C. Transit appeared before the council as a delegation to discuss upcoming improvements for the Agassiz-Harrison/Hope bus route.
– Sgt. Mike Sargent of the Agassiz RCMP appeared before the council as a delegation to deliver the 2021 annual policing report for the village.
The next regular Harrison Hot Springs council meeting is scheduled for Monday, March. 7, at 7 p.m. at Memorial Hall. Online attendance via Zoom is also an option with instructions available at harrisonhotsprings.ca. Meetings are archived on the village’s YouTube page.
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