Neighbours are largely opposing a rezoning application for a secondary suite at 1290 10th St. in East Courtenay.
The lot is located where Chaster Road intersects 10th near Back Road. The property is developed with a single dwelling and an occupied secondary suite. If approved, and the owners decide to subdivide, a new single family home with a suite would be allowed under an R-1S zone.
Some residents are concerned about density increasing from one to possibly four dwellings.
“Our place will depreciate if a four-plex is built,” Williams Road resident Mike O’Neill said at a public hearing Monday in Courtenay council chambers. At least 20 people attended the hearing.
Brett Knights, who also lives on Williams, feels the proposal would change the character of the neighbourhood.
“I’m opposed to any future subdivision,” he said.
Don McLaughlin feels the secondary suite represents the “thin edge of the wedge” that will open the area to multi-family dwellings.
Beatrice Cucksey, who purchased her 10th Street home in 1965, has “no objections to the suite.
“The lot is huge,” she said. “It’s beyond a single home.”
Hal Martyn, an engineer representing property owners Gord and Tracey Peter, said they intend to be hands-on owners who will maintain the suite as part of the local rental pool.
At the Oct. 2 meeting, council approved second reading of the application by a 5-2 vote. The naysayers were Mayor Larry Jangula and Coun. Manno Theos. Jangula predicted a huge pushback, saying this is the eighth request for secondary suites in this neighbourhood. Though he usually favours first and second readings, Theos has heard the opposition loud and clear on this one.
Council will consider the crucial third reading at a later date.