City council unanimously approved an application that will see 34 acres of land in King’s Heights redesignated from large lot single-family and multi-family homes to residential small and narrow lot homes.
The proposed amendments would result in a loss of 32 units from the current plan, slightly decreasing the number of units per acre from 7.8 to 7.7.
Melcor Developments made the request, citing a change in the market.
“(This request is) driven by the feedback we have received from our builders,” said Trevor Shouldice, project manager for Melcor Developments. “Builders have had great success selling the 32- and 34-foot wide lots.”
Shouldice added a number of 42-foot wide lots in Kings Heights have sat for months without selling, saying the lots sell for about $40,000 more than the 32-foot wide lots.
The municipal planning commission (MPC) discussed the request on Nov. 15. Members expressed concern the amendment would result in less housing diversity in King’s Heights, that homeowners would have front driveway access onto the collector road, and parking may be a problem with the driveways spaced closely together.
The commission also asked and was told there were no assurances Melcor wouldn’t submit any further large-scale amendments in the future.
The MPC also discussed the fact that council was persuaded by the applicant a few years ago to approve the multi-family zoning that Melcor is now asking to rezone, despite heavy opposition from Sharp Hill Estate residents, who live in close proximity to the parcel.
For that reason, Alderman Fred Burley voted against making the amendments to the King’s Heights plan.
“At that time, Melcor came and said they needed (the multi-family site) and it was planned perfectly,” said Burley. “So I will be voting against the bylaw.”
Alderman Kelly Hegg was also in opposition. The motion was carried.
