A small lot development proposal at the corner of Despard Avenue and Corfield Street in Parksville has been sent forward to a public hearing.
At a previous committee of the whole meeting, Nigel Gray described the 25 single family unit proposal on behalf of Rushan Development Corporation. It would have small 330-420 sq.m. (3,550-4,520 sq.ft.) lots, that would be ground oriented, fee simple detached houses with a yard or garden space. Gray suggested the small lots fit in with the city’s stated goal of densification and would allow the houses to be built incrementally, including renovations to increase their size later.
Because there is an identified eagle perch tree on the property, 21 per cent of the land would be set aside as park and the developer would contribute to a fund for trails that would not be built until the eagles leave.
The development, on three forested lots totalling 1.7 hectares (4.2 acres) require an official community plan (OCP) amendment from multifamily residential to residential and the creation of a new “small lot residential” zone.
The new zone would allow single family dwellings on lots over 300 sq.m, with the inclusion of a secondary suite or accessory carriage house on properties over 560 sq.m.
With councillor Bill Neufeld absent at their Aug. 8 meeting, the rest of council unanimously passed first and second reading and sent it forward a public hearing at the start of an upcoming regular council meeting.