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Proposed seniors residence awaits nod from Courtenay council

Courtenay council is allowing a bit more time for public feedback before it considers issuing a development permit for a proposed five-storey seniors residence at 925 Braidwood Rd.
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The five-storey Atrium at Braidwood proposes a mix of independent, assisted and memory care units.

Courtenay council is allowing a bit more time for public feedback before it considers issuing a development permit for a proposed five-storey seniors residence at 925 Braidwood Rd.

Coun. Doug Hillian, noting late public notice for feedback about variances to the project, motioned for a four-week postponement to bring neighbours up to speed. Couns. David Frisch and Melanie McCollum opposed the motion. Frisch questions if any issues have been missed during previous discussions.

The proposed Atrium at Braidwood will contain 161 suites — a mix of independent, assisted and memory care units. The property sits near the Comox Valley RCMP detachment, between the Old Island Highway and Back Road. The design includes a public path connecting Braidwood with Ryan Road, and a wandering garden for memory care residents. A fence along the path on the northeast side requires a variance to allow a maximum height of 3.5 metres.

READ: Seniors facility proposed in East Courtenay

Frisch said a good design for making a cohesive community is to give privacy where necessary, as well as visibility.

“The last thing I would want is for this pathway to turn into a dark tunnel fenced in between two properties,” he said at the June 1 meeting.

The design calls for the fence to sit on top of a retaining wall.

At a public hearing last year, a few area residents expressed concern about traffic, privacy and tree removal.

A traffic study considers options of opening the end of Braidwood versus opening Back Road.

A landscape plan calls for retaining trees, including a large garry oak, at the top of Braidwood.

A Braidwood Road design, worth about $4 million, is expected to come before council in the fall.