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Development application stirs up controversy in Colwood

Mayor notes that the apartment building proposal remains in its infancy
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A development application for Daniel Place has created a stir on social media, with many residents saying the proposed six five-storey apartments would have a negative effect on the neighbourhood. (Joel Tansey/News Gazette staff)

A multi-building development application slated for a Colwood neighbourhood has drawn the ire of several Facebook users.

A photo of the development application notice for 291 Daniel Pl. and 3362 Hatley Dr. was posted Monday morning to the nearly 400 member Colwood Community Association Facebook group, drawing comments that were mostly against the proposal.

Concerns centred around how the proposed five six-storey apartments might affect the quiet neighbourhood near Metchosin Road.

“…That is ludicrous for that tiny street,” wrote one user.

“Since when did we become Langford,” wrote another.

But some voiced support for the proposed project, with one contributor noting that, due to the region’s housing shortage, Colwood needed to do its part to add to the area’s housing stock.

The application also includes underground parking and five lots for single-family dwellings.

No dates for the proposal to be discussed at the committee level have been set and Mayor Carol Hamilton stressed that the process remains in its infancy.

“It’s easy to jump to conclusions and assume things but we aren’t even there yet,” she said.

Hamilton encouraged those with concerns to bring them forward to staff and council rather than just post them on social media.

“That’s why we have processes so that the public can get engaged and get informed and pass along their concerns,” she said.

She noted the application would be one of the first to go through the City’s new advisory planning commission, a nine-member citizen group that takes over from the now-defunct planning and land use committee.

The citizen-driven commission was developed in order to get a better perspective from the public when making land use decisions.

No members of council will sit on the commission, which includes representatives with expertise in a variety of fields, including education, land development and the environment.

joel.tansey@goldstream

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