A vacant lot in a prime residential neighbourhood in Hope is one step closer to being redeveloped.
The 1.5-acre lot at the corner of Coquihalla and 4th Ave. has been churning through the bylaw amendment process at the District of Hope council table. The district owns the lot, having purchased it several years ago as an investment. It was once a site for Imperial Oil, and most recently the former Community Garden.
But the site needs to be sold to increase the number of homes in Hope, and for that to happen they want to rezone it multiple family residential zoning.
A public hearing was held Monday night, prior to a third reading at the regular council meeting that night. Council said they heard enough concerns from the public on this issue that they want to ensure a developer isn’t able to build a large apartment complex on the site.
The neighbourhood comprises mostly single family homes.
Several councillors said they would like council to be able to have “control” over what is eventually built there.
“It’s great to see that much community input,” said Coun. Craig Traun. “It’s hard to ignore their concerns. I can’t disagree with their fears, so if we can find a way to avoid a large scale apartment on that footprint I could support that.”
Coun. Heather Stewin pointed to the housing assessment report that was presented to them earlier in the evening, and noted that smaller units is exactly what the report calls for.
“They want smaller areas to live in,” she said of residents, including seniors.
Council voted unanimously to give the zoning amendment at 455 Coquihalla its third reading and the bylaw adoption will be read at an upcoming meeting.
READ MORE: District-owned lot in Hope could soon be up for sale
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