Image: Contributed
A massive home development in Smith Creek is moving on to the next phase.
West Kelowna council unanimously approved the next phase of the proposed plan, which, once built out over two decades or so, could include up to 900 homes and 2,100 new residents.
Coun. Rick deJong called the plan “smart development.”
“I’m glad to see this move forward, understanding this will have impacts on the current neighbourhoods,” he said.
City planning manager Brent Magnan said the development proposal is moving into Phase 3, which is a final draft of the development.
Answering concerns from council about a lack of information on such infrastructure items such as water and sewer, Magnan said the information from the developer is sufficient to move to the next phase.
“We’ve been given enough information with what future triggers may be. We understand what we might be getting into regarding infrastructure,” he said.
“Moving to Phase 3, which is final draft. Had we not been comfortable with the information, we would not be recommending moving forward.”
Along with future water and sewer connections, council also voiced concerns over alternate accesses to the development, the conditions of some roads, specifically the Elliott and Smith Creek road network, water storage and wildfire fuel mitigation on lands which may be gifted to the city as part of the development.
“I know there will be development there, and I encourage it,” Coun. Carol Zanon said.
“I’m cautiously optimistic, but I do have a lot of concerns. I know this is going to go, but this is huge.
“The rest of the Smith Creek neighbourhood was developed without a plan. It just grew like top seed.”
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