Dear editor,
If you are residents of the Willemar Bluffs/Nob Hill area your rural lifestyle is about to change. A high density 20-lot subdivision is proposed for Lot 1182, on a designated Wildlife corridor, directly across from Sandcliffe Rd.
Local neighbours in the Town of Comox received a letter regarding this but the neighbours most directly affected, in the Regional District, did not receive such a courtesy. The three-quarter acre lots from Lot 1182 to Butchers are being bought up and each three-quarter acre can potentially be rezoned to accommodate six to seven lots. This will mean a subdivision from Gage Rd. to Butchers, so say goodbye to our rural nature. The fact that high density housing can be on a wildlife corridor is a joke! In the Official Community Plan it is stated that development should reflect the already established land use in the area, which, in this case is large lots/acreages. Of course, when it comes down to development it means maximize the lot area, cut down every single tree and make the lots as small as possible, for one reason only and that is to maximize the developer’s profits.
Is it also interesting that there is only one notice in the paper about this rezoning and that the public hearing will be in the middle of the summer when most people are on holidays.
The Town of Comox is asking for community consultation and neighbourhood impact statements. Email djensen@mcelhanney.com before July 16 if you have any input. Also email mayor and council at town@comox.ca Put Lot 1182 Lazo Rd. rezoning in heading and include your name and address.
Let’s ensure the developer will work towards maintaining a rural feel, with large lots along Lazo, leaving as many trees as possible, integrating green spaces and building a walking/bike trail to mitigate the impact of extra traffic.
Trish Fennell
Comox