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Developer asks for zoning change to build eight housing units in downtown Castlegar

Plan calls for two four unit buildings
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The City of Castlegar is looking at rezoning 111 11th Avenue to allow for two multi-family dwellings. Photo: Betsy Kline

A zoning amendment application that would allow for two multi-family housing units to be built in downtown Castlegar has begun to work its way through the approval process.

A developer would like to build two buildings, each with four units on a triangle-shaped lot at 111 11th Avenue. The empty lot is located near the Castlegar Community Services building.

The property is already zoned for medium density multiple residential, but because of the irregular shape of the lot it does not meet the required lot dimensions. Allowing the lot to fall under a comprehensive development zone would allow for the creation of site-specific regulations that would only affect that property.

The area of town the lot is located in has been targeted in the city’s official community plan for encouraging higher-density residential projects.

City staff recommended approving the proposal based on a number of factors including that the location is in an area that the city would like to see empty lots filled in and that it is in walking distance to the downtown core, schools and many other amenities and services.

The developer will be required to upgrade 11th Avenue and construct a sidewalk from 2nd Street to the property.

The next step of the approval process is a public hearing and with current COVID-19 restrictions in place it will likely take on a different form than previous hearings.

“We’re currently looking at innovative online solutions that could work for public hearings during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said the city’s communications manager Bree Seabrook.

“As we investigate these options, we need to make sure they allow for due process and meet the requirements of the Local Government Act.”



Betsy Kline

About the Author: Betsy Kline

After spending several years as a freelance writer for the Castlegar News, Betsy joined the editorial staff as a reporter in March of 2015. In 2020, she moved into the editor's position.
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