Traffic concerns sparked by Osoyoos townhouse proposal
A proposed townhouse development adjacent to Peanut Pond in Osoyoos resurrected conversation Monday about a traffic-constricted Vedette Drive and making better use of Valiant Lane.
Precision Building Design is proposing to develop two vacant parcels to the south of the Adobe Sands complex, building 47 townhome units, 14 of which would include basement suites.
“It is anticipated that these suites will provide much-needed market rental housing for local residents,” Gina MacKay, the town’s director of planning and development services, told council. “Each suite will have its own designated parking pad.”
The development would have its primary access from Vedette Drive, which meanders through the Adobe Sands complex from Jubilee Drive. Vedette can also be accessed from Valiant Lane.
“That’s going to be a lot of residents in there with a lot of vehicles,” noted Coun. CJ Rhodes. “When you leave there you would have two choices basically: to go to Jubilee down (Vedette) or through the (Lakeview Plaza) parking lot.
“You have to assume a fair number of residents would race across the parking lot.”
He wondered if the town had plans to deal with the expected “chaos and disorganization” that would come with the increased traffic and whether another access would be available from Main Street — especially since, as Mayor Sue McKortoff noted, a nearby Super 8 was expanding and would be adding even more traffic to the Lakeview Plaza parking lot.
“It is a parking lot — it isn’t identified specifically as a road,” agreed MacKay, adding the town would be talking with the Plaza’s owners about “an opportunity to delineate specifically a road to circumnavigate around the parking lot.”
That road — Valiant Lane — is currently established only as an “easement for access” for the Super 8, she said.
MacKay added the new development would include a Main Street access but only for emergency vehicles — including those belonging to residents in the area who had to leave because of an emergency.
Otherwise, MacKay noted, the Main Street access would be closed.
Vedette Drive would be improved to provide for better access, MacKay told council, with the town and developer costsharing the improvements.
A pedestrian trail is also proposed along the edge of peanut Pond.
The town’s planners were looking for changes to the Official Community Plan and a zoning amendment to facilitate the development.
“The proposed rental suites are in line with the town’s policy on encouraging affordable rental units to be located within walking distance of the town’s amenities, including public transportation and public schools,” MacKay noted.
Council gave two readings to both requests. It was told the developer will be holding a public information meeting on Nov. 29 and the town would hold its own public hearing Dec. 17.