Rezoning changes denied

By Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star Published: September 25, 2008

A chunk of commercial property that’s been boasting development for 10 years has failed to land a promising tenant. Therefore the sign that has stood beside Highway 6 for years, which reads ‘Future home of Aberdeen Shopping Centre,’ has come down. “Retail tenants felt that it was a little too early for a shopping centre,” said Rick Jones, Urban Design Group Architects, representing Trintec Enterprises. Instead, the land developer has been eyeing different tenants for the Coldstream space – homeowners. Trintec Enterprises is seeking a zoning change from the current C6 zone (shopping centre commercial) to permit multi-family residential use. “We’re taking a portion of the commercial land and changing it to residential,” said Jones. The plan is to construct 27 townhouses and one 39-unit apartment building on a portion of the 16 acre chunk of Coldstream property. But since the land is one of few commercial locations in Coldstream, and is the only C6 designation, council has turned down the request.

“If we’re going to run a community I think we have to have a variety of zones,” said Coun. Jim Garlick. Coun. Doug Dirk also pointed to the Official Community Plan, where there is a lack of community support for apartments. But bringing apartments into the community appeals to Coun. Mary Malerby as something to build forward on. “There’s people who don’t want to move out of the Coldstream but want to downsize. That’s something in the Coldstream we don’t have to offer.” Coun. Glen Taylor also liked the way the development is headed. Seven nearby residents have also submitted input to the proposal. A couple are dead against the idea of changing the zoning and constructing apartments, while most of the others are open to the idea as long as concerns such as noise, traffic, lights and appropriate public green space are addressed. The development application was turned down in a tie vote (which is automatically defeated). Coun. Bill Firman joined Dirk and Garlick in opposing the staff recommendation to support the zoning change.The developer can come back to council with a new and altered application for consideration.