A proposed development in the Silverdale area took another small step forward on Monday night as Mission Council voted 5-2 to grant third reading to a re-zoning request by Polygon Homes.
The new zoning would pave the way for a new subdivision of up to 66 residential compact lots and development of up to 160 multi-family units, at 8279, 8289, 8387 and 8455 Nelson Street and another parcel of land.
READ MORE: Public voices concers
The development has been met with opposition from some residents in the area who are concerned about traffic safety issues, services and many other concerns.
Last month, a huge group of people came out to a public hearing, voicing their opposition.
After a long debate on Monday night, council approved third reading for the rezoning request – Couns. Danny Plecas and Jenny Stevens voted against it – but before final approval will be considered, district staff has been asked to create a long list of conditions and issues that must be resolved, before the project can begin.
“We did give it third reading and its is going to come back, probably in two weeks. There is a possibility that it will get adoption with a whole list of things that have to be done before staff will sign off on it,” explained Mayor Randy Hawes.
Hawes said staff will work out the details, noting that they are the professionals, not council members.
“We are not at that pay grade that can analyze engineering, nor should we try to.”
Hawes said if staff comes back and says the engineering is adequate and they have looked at the road and there are safety improvements, then council should listen to its engineers.
“This is very needed housing, it is an excellent developer, who will be with us for probably 25 years and over that period of time I think they will be excellent corporate citizens.”
Pam Alexis said she supported third reading because she believes “the market has changed drastically.”
She recently received the school district enrollment numbers and was “shocked” to see they were 44 students less than projected.
“I asked the questions ‘What is the problem? Where are the kids?’ because we had anticipated much more this year and of course schools are an excellent indicator of where your community is going.”
Alexis was told the issue is price point for homes. Families can’t afford to buy in Mission
She said townhouses are needed in Mission.
“We have to have them because they can’t afford the single family home price point,” said Alexis, adding the issue is bigger than just this development, it’s “about where is Mission going to go.”
But she is not in favour of granting final approval until many questions are answered.
“I need some assurity, of course, around services, which is what we are going to get before adoption. But I have no issue with the zoning, because I think that is what you are going to be seeing for the rest of the plan.”