Summerland council has approved a development permit for a multi-family development on Landry Crescent in Trout Creek.
The proposal is for a 45-unit cluster housing development at 3240 Landry Cres., on a 2.656-hectare parcel of land. The development also received variances for the rear yard setback, reducing the setback from 7.5 metres to 6.0 metres.
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The proposed development is comprised of 27 buildings with 19 duplex buildings, seven single-family homes and one amenity building. It is a permitted use under the existing Residential Medium Density zoning for the property.
Parking areas, screening, landscaping and lighting are included in the plan.
However, the plan also generated some criticism from people living in the area. The concerns were about the number of parking stalls and about the possibility of short-term rental units in the proposed development.
“Short-term rentals drive housing prices up by allowing property once zoned as residential to now be priced with commercial economics as a driver,” Sophie and Marc Hildebrand said in a letter to Summerland council. “We moved to Summerland under the recognition that residential zoning was meant to be for permanent residences.”
Chris van der Veer, another Trout Creek resident, said the setback changes will affect the waterfront.
“Altering the setback for a community as large and dense as this new development will lead only to significant shoreline erosion and loss of habitat,” he said.
He added that relaxing or removing the restrictions on short-term rentals could also have serious effects on the area.
Lorraine Bennest said the development proposal ignores the reality of recent flooding on Okanagan Lake. Significant flooding occurred in 2017 and 2018, resulting in damage to lakefront properties.
The motion was carried with Summerland mayor Toni Boot and Coun. Erin Carlson opposed.
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