A major real estate transaction has reduced the amount of land owned by Kingma Brothers Developments in Harrison Hot Springs by about one third.
Peter Kingma confirmed with the Observer that the company has sold 115 acres in the Village to an overseas investor. The area is a parcel that include Whippoorwill Point, west of the Village.
Kingma Brothers bought more than 300 acres of the Village in 2009. The company now retains 210 acres. The most recent land exchange was registered on May 8, 2012.
The company is hoping to develop the area across from the Village office into a 26-unit townhouse development, and plans have been moving through the process since 2010.
A public hearing is coming up on Monday, July 9, where the public will have a chance to hear more about a bylaw amendment for that site.
The bylaw amendment includes changes to land use designation, but also includes four provisos that must be completed before construction on the townhouse begins..
The Village is asking that the developer, Kingma Brothers, construct and dedicate a municipal trail along Miami Slough.
They are also asking for a two-acre portion of the land (at the southwest end) to be transferred to the municipality.
Additionally, the deal will include a transfer of about 1,600 m2 of land, providing for public trail toward the Campbell Lake Trail, a popular hiking destination.
Finally, the developer must contribute $25,000 toward public playground equipment.
The bylaw amendment has been available for reading online and at the Village office since June 22, and will be available until July 9 at 7 p.m. at the public hearing.
Presumably, council could vote on the bylaw amendment at the regular council meeting planned for later that evening.
At the June 18th meeting, Councillor Sonja Reyerse stated that the developer "has done everything we asked for" previously.
Councillor Zoltan Kiss opposed the bylaw amendment, suggesting it get referred back to the APC. That motion was defeated by lack of support.
Previous council had requested that the developer have a transportation review conducted by a traffic engineer. They also requested an updated site plan that included a trail network. Those requests were met.
A comprehensive site plan includes the requested trail, and includes 26 units at a density no greater than seven units per acre.
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