A proposed 19-lot subdivision at Sheraton Road has raised a few concerns around the neighbourhood.
Northern Springs Development, proponent of the Legacy Heights project, proposes single family housing with the option of secondary suites on a property annexed into the City of Courtenay in 2012, as requested by the owners, Mel and Sheila Jasbec. The couple dedicated frontage along Sheraton that facilitated an alignment of the sewer line, and allowed the City to construct a trail.
“It seems like the area is large enough that we shouldn’t require the secondary suites,” Cummings Road resident Don Wilkie said at a public hearing Tuesday at city council. “It will increase traffic.”
Lance Pace, speaking on behalf of his mother-in-law Sheila, says the “legacy project” won’t be full of secondary suites. He also said the family wants to maintain the rural feel of the area.
The property known as ‘the farm’ was passed down from Sheila’s mother, Daisy Parker Russell, whom Pace describes as a “forward-thinking woman in her time.” Mel started the process about seven years ago with the boundary extension.
Sheraton Road resident Michael Spender feels an “accident is waiting to happen” where a proposed access road comes out at a bend at Sheraton. He does not like it cutting across the trail/bike path — a concern he has expressed on previous occasions.
Margaret Waterton, who lives at the bottom of Sheraton, and Cummings resident Evelyn Carruthers, also worry about the exit onto Sheraton because of pedestrians, cyclists and skateboarders.
“A three-way stop would probably make sense,” said Andrew Gower of Wedler Engineering. He notes the company does not intend to have secondary suites at each of the 19 sites.
Gower also notes the proposal offers a “variety of impacts” in terms of esthetics and slower traffic due to an S-curve design in the road. Grass swales and detention ponds would help with storm drainage.
Jean Ennis, who also lives on Sheraton, realizes development is inevitable but harbours concern about drainage issues at McDonald and Back roads, and a lack of detailed engineering.
“I am asking council to stop this,” she said. “It’s just not a good development for the area when there’s not an overall plan.”
The City has yet to complete detailed stormwater management and other infrastructure design.