Mission council voted to unanimously move forward on a three-storey 35-unit townhouse development application in the Dunsmuir neighbourhood.
Developing the 1.6-acre property on 7743 Stave Lake Street will require rezoning, and a public hearing will be set at a future date.
Staff call it the “ideal location” for townhouse development in their report.
The site is bordered to the south and east by single family homes, and to the north and west by two schools.
Staff recommended moving the application forward as it is consistent with the official community plan, fits the neighbourhood character, and council’s goal of increasing density along major corridors and commercial centers.
Fraser River Heritage Park is close by, along with Windebank Elementary School, Heritage Park Middle School, Heritage Park Commercial Centre, and the Clarke Theatre.
The townhomes would be accessed from Stave Lake Street via 9th Avenue, and the developer has submitted an application to rename the existing unnamed road extending north from 9th Avenue to Hattori Terrace.
A city arborist report in 2018 recommended the removal of all 82 trees on the property as they are in poor health and conflict with potential development. There are no environmentally sensitive areas identified on the lands.
While council has plans to create a development plan for the Dunsmuir neighbourhood, they decided that applications already in the works would not be delayed.
Coun. Mark Davies asked whether the developer had done any community engagement, and if the application was going to be a surprise to the neighbourhood.
Staff said the developer plans to hold a public information meeting, but is working out the details regarding COVID protocols.
Horn asked to add an amendment that a public information meeting be held before the application comes back for final vote from council.
The city’s goal in the 2020 to 2024 Housing Needs Assessment is to build 149 market homes units by the end of the year.