A proposal to build 14 new homes on a pair of heavily treed properties in central Abbotsford will move ahead, with councillors saying the limited aspect of the development does a good job of minimizing the environmental effects of the new buildings.
The new homes will be built in the centre of the two properties, off of a lane connecting to Eastview Street.
About half of the property on either side of a single road would be transferred to the city and zoned as parks and open space.
The developer has also pledged to connect a trail to Horn Street and eliminate a culvert that connects two parts of a stream on Horn Street and blocks the movement of fish.
“Staff are of the opinion that it’s trying to balance the infill land-use designation with environmental protection,” said Darren Braun, Abbotsford’s director of development planning.
Twenty-five trees will be removed in the development area, but dozens more will remain in the areas transferred to the city.
“Given the environmental sensitivity of this particular property, but given the OCP in this area, it’s inevitable that it will be,” she said. “I appreciate both the developer and staff working so hard … to protect the natural environment.” Ross said she was pleased to see efforts “to save as many trees as possible.”
Couns. Sandy Blue and Brenda Falk concurred.
“I think it’s a great project all the way around,” Falk said. The proposal will move ahead to a public hearing at a later date.
Bear w/ me. Trying stuff out with video from Abbotsford council. Here's Patricia Ross on a development in the middle of the city. pic.twitter.com/5hN6qs2kFN
— Tyler Olsen (@ty_olsen) July 20, 2017
