Townhouse development gets Coldstream approval

By Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star Published: July 17, 2008

A new 79-unit development on Aberdeen Road in Coldstream has surged through numerous sewer concerns into approval. The Sugoi Property Management development has been granted final adoption needed to re-zone the 7.9 acres from residential to multi-family for the townhouse development. But the stamp of approval from Coldstream council Monday has some residents and a couple of councillors shaking their heads. “My understanding here was this would not come before council until we had made a final decision in regards to sewer servicing,” said Coun. Bill Firman. With the development moving in, there is further pressure to extend sewer services up Aberdeen Road. The developer is putting a restrictive covenant in place that limits the building to one or two storey townhouse units and requires putting the sewer trunk line down Aberdeen Road (from the Coldstream Fire Department to the development). That will cost approximately $1 million, while the district will cover the remaining estimated $300,000 for oversizing. Those funds will come out of Development Cost Charges, which came from the sewer fund that existing residents have paid into.

But debate continues to flow as to whether sewer services should even be extended up Aberdeen, and what kind of impact that will have on existing sewer infrastructure. Mike Stamhuis, director of engineering services, says pressures on existing systems will build over time with expanded sewer. Therefore, if sewer is routed via Kalamalka Road it would trigger a need to upsize a large portion of the sewer main (between McClounie Road and the Vernon border). That would cost in the range of $1.32 million. “It’s going to depend on how many people are hooking up,” said Stamhuis. With concerns about these costs and the remaining Aberdeen extension portion (after the developer’s portion), Firman says it is premature to grant re-zoning to a development that is so closely tied to a sewer servicing decision. “I don’t support this final adoption until we resolve this sewer issue,” said Firman, whose vote went against adoption alongside Coun. Jim Garlick’s. While the Advisory Planning Commission initially supported the development, Garlick, who serves on the APC, says his mind is quickly changing.“It isn’t smart growth. Smart growth is when you build tight communities adjacent to existing development. This flies in the face of the that,” he said, pointing to agricultural land directly across the street.

Resident Maria Besso also expressed her concerns with the development in relation to the sewer expansion in terms of timing, financing, impact and lack of public consultation.“We are at a crossroads and should not be rushed into a decision we will regret later,” said Besso. The developer may also be eligible for latecomer fees from residents who later hook onto sewer, possibly including those from Coldstream Valley Estates and any roads off of Aberdeen, as long as the land is outside of the ALR.