A landowner's hopes of turning soil on a ten-home project got a little closer to reality on Monday night in Harrison Hot Springs.
The property at 775 Hot Springs Road was up for discussion at a public hearing in Harrison Hot Springs village office. After some heated words by a few members of the public, the plan made it through to third reading at the regular council meeting later in the night.
A plan outlining ten homes that would face Hot Springs Road was shown to council. A lane would divide the property in half, leading to a back alley lane that would run the length of the property. Garages and driveways would be accessible off that back lane. The property is across the road from the Tugboat Junction site.
The proposal was reviewed by the Advisory Planning Commission on Nov. 13, who then recommended the plan to council. The plan would involve a rezoning from R1 to CD3, a change which staffer Andre Isakov said fits into the Official Community Plan. It also includes a $15,000 contribution from the developer toward beachfront and waterfront streetscape improvements.
"This is very much in adherence with this area," Isakov said.
One member of the public did speak out in favour of the project, calling the lot's current state an eyesore.
"This development would be so much better than having the used vehicles and for sale signs," Marg Doman said. "It's an enhancement and I commend people who want to build properly."
While some voiced concern that the houses would be too narrow to be marketable — they would sit on a minimum lot size of 335 sq. meters with a minimum width of 10.5 m — two council members said that when it comes to houses, size isn't everything.
"I don't understand why some people are opposed to housing for young people," Coun. Allan Jackson said, mentioning a narrow lot and home he lived in in White Rock. "We all have to start somewhere."
Coun. Sonya Reyerse also mentioned living in a very narrow but "charming" home in Toronto in the past.
Coun. Zoltan Kiss opposed the readings.
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