The City of Castlegar will be holding a public hearing regarding a proposed housing and commercial development in Kinnaird.
At a Feb. 22 meeting, Castlegar city council passed the first two readings of Zoning Amendment Bylaw 1379 related to a project proposed for 2405 Columbia Avenue and 2404 6th Avenue, the former site of the Brandson Pool. Passing initial bylaw readings is a necessary step in order to trigger a public hearing on any proposal that requires a zoning amendment.
The proposal from Nexus Development Group and Sutherland Group Enterprises calls for about 50 units of new, high-quality housing, live/work space, up to 10 commercial spaces and a central courtyard.
A portion of the existing park would be retained by the city and the play and green space will be redefined.
The project is still in the early proposal stages, but initial options include four or five stories constructed using cross-laminated timber from Kalesnikoff Lumber.
The Columbia Avenue property is in a “specific growth area” in the City of Castlegar Official Community Plan where mixed-use development, multi-family dwellings, and commercial uses are encouraged.
MORE INFO: Proposal details for 2405 Columbia Avenue
A public information session was held on Feb. 10 through Zoom and a number of residents in the neighbourhood voiced their opposition to the development.
The zoning amendment public hearing will take place Monday, March 14, at 6 p.m. at the Castlegar Community Forum (445 13th Avenue). Residents can also listen in by phone or through Zoom. Go to castlegar.ca/ph for more details.
The public hearing is just one step in the approval process. The zoning bylaw would then have to be passed and adopted. Future steps include a development permit and a transfer of the actual property.
betsy.kline@castlegarnews.com
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