It seems waterfront property is a hot buy in Campbell River. In fact, at their upcoming Monday meeting, city council has another major development proposal to review.
According to council’s Nov. 1 agenda, developers are looking to build a five-storey, 42-unit condo apartment building at 1470 South Island Highway, south of Rockland Rd.
Currently, two single-family homes sit on the plot of land, found next to Campbell Shores apartment building. In all, the land totals over 65,000 sqft.
However, similar to a major development approved just last week — a 70-unit apartment building at 854 Island Highway South — this development permit application includes a variance.
READ MORE: Locals worried new 5-storey Island Hwy. apartment building will block existing views
Developers are hoping to increase the height of the proposed building by 0.71 metres, which is sparking concern from locals.
A series of opposing letters have been mailed to council, mostly from residents who reside on Galerno Rd. That’s the road with properties backing onto the ridge, overlooking the Island Highway.
“When a developer purchases a property, he does so knowing full well what rules are in place regarding what height he can go up to and therefore should be happy with whatever the rules are,” locals Patrick and Kerry wrote.
And Murray and Frances believe the development could impede on their existing view: “Less height on the new development is very important to us all,” they wrote.
The proposed building was originally planned to sit 21.49 metres high, or 3 metres below the top of the ridge. Now, developers are aiming for a height of 22.20 metres, or 2.29 metres below the top of the ridge.
This goes against a zoning bylaw, which states a development at the proposed location cannot exceed a height of 3 meters below the top of the ridge.
Therefore, following discussion next week, council can choose between one of three options: approve the development permit and variance, postpone the permit, or deny it altogether.
