Parksville residents generally supported a proposed small lot development at the corner of Despard Avenue and Corefield Street, during a public hearing last Monday.
“I’m in favour. We’ve talked for years about encouraging young people to stay on the Island,” said Caroline Waters who suggested the smaller lots would be cheaper and attract families to the area.
Increased traffic was the strongest concern about the proposal — which would require official community plan and zoning amendments and a new “small lot residential” zone.
“I have no objections, young families need a place to live,” said Lauren Campbell, a neighbour of the property, but added that Despard is already a busy, dangerous road where people speed and don’t stop at the stop signs.
At a previous committee of the whole meeting Nigel Gray described the 25 single family residential lots as 330-420 sq.m. (3,550-4,520 sq.ft.), ground oriented, fee simple detached houses with a yard or garden space.
He said the small lots fit the city’s stated goal of densification and would allow the houses to be built incrementally, with possible additions in the future.
Council will consider the public comments when the item comes back for the statutory process in the near future.