Parksville council okayed a two lot subdivision and variance for a large residential lot at 790 Gaetjen St. on the waterfront.
There was some frustration among council about the subdivision and variance without any indication of what the property owners Rob McGorman and Nicole Proch plan to build.
“I have been quite involved in this situation,” said councillor Bill Neufeld, who previously said he was uncomfortable with the request without a building being proposed.
Director of community planning Blaine Russell explained this is a less common, but perfectly acceptable route to subdividing properties.
“At some point we either follow our bylaws or we don’t,” Neufeld continued, clearly frustrated but later admitting it isn’t a big change.
When the request was introduced at a previous committee of the whole meeting there were some complaints and questions from the audience about road standards, tree retention and neighbourhood character, which mayor Chris Burger said where not related to the subdivision request and better pursued through the ongoing official community plan update.
He said he has since had what he believes was a productive meeting with the one of the concerned individuals.
The subdivision and variance, which only Neufeld voted against, reduces the setback along Fairwind Avenue from 7.5 to 4.5 metres and divides the lot into a smaller one in the front and a larger one towards the water which includes a large portion of steep bluff which is an environmentally-protected area where no structures can be built.