A public hearing has been set for May 31 for the next phase of development for The Ponds neighbourhood..
On Monday, May 9, Kelowna City Council gave first reading to an application for a rezoning and Official Community Plan amendment for the property which is located on Steele Road in the Upper Mission.
Mair Developments Ltd. submitted their application in September 2021 to change the future land use and rezone the property to allow for a 32 lot subdivision and parkland dedication.
The parkland dedication aims to protect a nearby wetland area and allow for a trail connection between Mair Pond and Hill Spring Park.
“My concern is the protection of the wild wetland areas,” said Councillor Charlie Hodge. “Is there any sort of clause that would protect the wetlands? This area is in the construction phase quite often.”
“Yes. So, the environmentally sensitive areas are primarily being dedicated to the city as park through the natural environment development permit process,” said city planner Mark Tanner.
“They are required to provide (financial) bonding for mitigation of protecting environmentally sensitive areas through the process.”
According to Tanner’s report, the main proposed vehicle access to the development would be through an extension of Steel Road which is currently only constructed as an emergency access route.
Existing portions of The Ponds neighbourhood have been developed and are located to the north, east and west of the property and include residential lots, the Canyon Falls Middle School and an existing trail and park system.
City staff say the development is generally consistent with the Neighbourhood 3 Area Structure Plan that specifically identified the area as being suitable for single/two-unit residential developments.
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