Neighbourhood opposition to a townhouse project proposed for Foster Street was loud and clear during a public hearing last week at White Rock city hall.
The two-building, 14-unit complex would create traffic congestion, ruin views and breach the city’s own Official Community Plan, opponents claimed.
The development is proposed for 1330, 1338 and 1346 Foster St., and proponents have requested rezoning to permit site-specific density, lot coverage, setbacks and height. The application received first and second reading last month.
Of a dozen people who spoke at the public hearing, eight spoke against the project.
Timothy Dunbar predicted traffic “havoc” if the project goes ahead, noting a “huge complex” is already under construction on Roper.
Nicole Beland told council she is “appalled” at a lack of vision for the city that she said dates back to the reign of former mayor Judy Forster.
“Haven’t you learned from past problems? High-density development does not solve White Rock’s financial problems,” Beland said.
Residents in support of the project described it as needed affordable housing.
Ron Elliott told council he has three grown sons who want to move back to the area, and such a development would enable them to afford it.
Landscape architect Thomas Kyle told council the project is designed to “blend in as much as possible with the surrounding area… to settle this place into this area.”
The matter is expected to come back to council on Jan. 28.