A duplex project on Pineview Road will likely get underway this year after getting the green-light from council, despite neighbourhood concerns about speeding, parking and design.
In October, Penticton council had postponed a vote on the rezoning application that would allow for a duplex project at 457 Pineview Rd., the first such project on that street despite a number of duplex zoned properties located to the rear of the property on Balsam Avenue.
Peter Stelser, a Pineview resident who spoke at the October hearing, reiterated his concerns over the proposed duplex at the Jan. 9 council meeting. Those included that this would be first duplex on the street, and that the design and character of the building may not fit in with the existing neighbourhood.
“The original concerns that I had have not been eliminated,” he said. “For the neighbours, there’s no assurances the submitted plans will be fulfilled. What is built will be there for 60 years.”
The narrowness of the lot, he said, means no vehicles, campers, boats or other “toys” will be able to be stored in the backyard. That means residents would park additional vehicles on the street, he said, and the overall slope of Pineview is prohibitive in terms of parking.
Brad La Trace, who also lives on Pineview, said the curve in the road along a hill creates a double-blind corner and a hazard for vehicles travelling too fast down the slope.
“Every year I end up with a half dozen cars in my yard,” he said. “I would never let my kids walk down this stretch. It’s just too treacherous.”
La Trace said he is among the fortunate residents on this strip of Pineview to have a turnaround on his lot, so he doesn’t have to try backing out onto the busy road. Without such a turnaround, he said, the duplex residents will struggle with safety.
“What they’re proposing will likely take up the whole lot. I have serious concerns. Any of these lots should have to have room to turn around so they can get out head first. It’s too deadly otherwise,” he said.
Mayor Dan Ashton said the engineering department would review the area and the city could touch base with the RCMP to potentially monitor the area for speeding vehicles.
As for the design issues, Coun. Garry Litke said applying a Sec. 219 covenant would ensure the project goes ahead according to the plans submitted to City Hall, and will prevent the owners from converting the duplex into a four-plex, for example.
“Unless we have a covenant on there, that property might change to the detriment of the character of the street,” he said.
He moved the second recommendation that involves the design restrictions. Third reading was unanimously passed by council, with the condition that a covenant be signed before adoption.