A duplex proposal that rubbed a handful of White Rock residents the wrong way has received a thumbs-up from council.
The politicians voted 5-1 last week to give third and final reading to a bylaw amendment that clears the way for construction of the two-unit building at 13742 North Bluff Rd.
Coun. Helen Fathers cast the sole opposing vote, citing the lack of support from residents who spoke to the project at an Oct. 1 public hearing.
“I heard very clearly their displeasure with this,” Fathers said.
Concerns expressed at the hearing included that a duplex would not fit into the neighbourhood; and that the location of the driveway may result in relocation of a bus stop.
The city’s director of planning and development services confirmed last week (Oct. 29) that the bus stop would be shifted 30 feet east.
While Coun. Louise Hutchinson suggested creating an access lane behind area properties to avoid the need to egress onto North Bluff Road, Paul Stanton said the move wouldn’t be feasible without expropriating the land of “a multitude” of property owners.
Regarding concern that a duplex would change the neighbourhood, Mayor Wayne Baldwin disagreed.
“Multi-family (development) in this area is simply out of the question, duplexes are not,” he said.
Four neighbours spoke against the proposal at the public hearing; the city also received one written submission opposing the project.