A proposal to develop a former gravel pit at the end of Ridgedale Road, (centre of photo) into a new subdivision is expected to come before Penticton City Council in September.

(STEVE ARSTAD / iNFOnews.ca)

PENTICTON - A new subdivision is in the early planning stages in Penticton’s upper Carmi area.

City of Penticton planning manager Blake Laven says the city has received an application to amend the Official Community Plan and zoning bylaw for the former Peters Bros. gravel pit located at 1830 Ridgedale Ave.

Laven says the owner of the property is proposing a mixed use neighbourhood with large and small lot single family homes, duplexes, multi-unit dwellings, two parks and a linear trail.

The proposal includes preservation of approximately one third of the 40 acre site as a natural area.

Re-grading of the land is required before any development takes place, as the property was operated as a gravel pit under a mine permit issued by the Ministry of Energy and Mines. He says the city has also received an application for an earthworks permit to control the re-grading, with notification of the work having gone out to neighbouring residents.

Laven says a public open house will take place sometime this fall regarding the land use plan. No date has been set, as city staff are conducting a preliminary technical review of the documents submitted to date.

A copy of the notice sent to the Upper Columbia neighbourhood was posted on social media earlier this week.

Issued by Ecora Engineering and Resource Group Ltd., a B.C. based civil, structural engineering, natural resource and environmental consulting company,  the notice states the new owner of the property is working with Encora to redevelop the site.

The first phase of the project — the levelling of 411,000 cubic metres of earth — is expected to begin Aug. 15 and be completed by mid-December.

According to the notice an environmental assessment and a geotechnical investigation have been completed on the property.

The notice also stated, “Meaningful pubic input will be sought to ensure residents can express their concerns and ideas."

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