Critics of six-storey apartment building in Kamloops consider legal action
Opposition to a Kamloops apartment development isn't slowing down as city council approval looms.
There are several steps left before local politicians will be asked to vote on the project, but legal options are already being considered, according to Valleyview resident Craig Jefferson.
He's been leading the charge against the proposed six-storey build by A and T Developments Inc. It's two floors taller than what's currently allowed along Glenwood Drive in a neighbourhood largely made up by single family homes.
"Where does it stop? Valleyview is a huge target because of flat land and big properties. They can get them for a decent price," Jefferson said. "We're just a huge target, so we can see more coming in the future, and I think if we just let this one slide, there's going to be more coming along."
He and a few others recently collected signatures in opposition to the project ahead of a council meeting late last year. Though he said some were not interested in voicing opposition, Jefferson said 362 residents surrounding the Glenwood project signed.
Whether it made any difference for city council Jefferson isn't sure.
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"I went to council and spoke about this. Except for the mayor and (councillor) Katie Neustaeter, it was stone faces," he said. "I submitted that petition and never heard a word about it. It was like it didn't exist."
Jefferson listed several concerns with the project and while he'd prefer the three homes currently on the properties to stay, he would accept a four-storey limit to the building.
With 120 individual apartments in the plans, it's poised to host 89 parking spaces. The overflow would be pushed to the street, where it's across from a high school and there are already few sidewalks. Jefferson is concerned about safety and congestion.
He said the six-storey build would cut out winter sunlight hours for some neighbouring properties almost entirely and voiced privacy concerns.
"What we're trying to do is minimize the impact, which is keeping it at what the zoning is now for four storeys," he said.
Gary Reed of A and T Developments told council in December the six-storey plan was necessary for it to be financially viable, while a reduction to four would simply see rent costs rise too high.
It's still a few steps away from a council vote. The city sent the matter to the Ministry of Transportation to consider how the added density to Valleyview could affect the Oriole Road intersection with Highway 1.
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If approved, it will go ahead to a public hearing before council decides whether to allow the rezoning and two storeys over its allowed area limit.
But new provincial regulations are hanging over the development and its opposition with a bus loop on the books for the area.
In an effort to increase density and reduce red tape, the province rezoned properties within 400 metres of bus loops in Kamloops and several other cities. Once the bus exchange is built in 2026, it would pave the way for six storey towers within 400 metres and 10 within 200 metres. Jefferson's group would have few, if any, methods to oppose it.
Looking to a successful court action by a Vancouver neighbourhood group, Jefferson said legal action is on the table if it gets council approval.
"I like to keep my cards pretty close, but what I can say is we're looking at every different avenue we can, as far as the province and the city itself goes," he said.
The Kitsilano neighbourhood project was different from the Valleyview build as it was a supportive housing site and the province stepped in to usher it along, but both arose out of neighbourhood groups and their efforts to engage with local government over opposition to a controversial development.
Jefferson and his wife have launched an online fundraiser to be used for potential legal fees and "outreach efforts."
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