Higher Density Development on the Summit Connector

On the Summit connector "switchback" (aka Victoria St (extremely) west), connecting downtown and the north shore with sahali and aberdeen, a new development has been proposed.

Mission Hill  (the Mayor may have doubts about the name) proposes to be  about  200 units  of  condos in 5  six story buildings. Their web site is worth a look just to get a sense of what this could look like.

Last night, the developers hosted an open house session . A few neighboring residents attended. Concerns I heard were loss of views, traffic and parking. The developer is saying that the development creates a friendly community which will integrate well into its surroundings, and will be easier to service with infrastructure. The buildings are sunk about 60 feet into the hill to be less of a view problem for neighbors and a lot of the existing natural rugged character of the hill will be retained.

One lady attending asked if "she should call Terry Lake" because she said I did not seem receptive to her concerns. I assured her that, yes, she should call Terry Lake but, also yes, that I was receptive to her concerns. But, I am obligated to keep my mind open, and to ask what may seem like hard questions to all parties involved.

Public Hearing on the project is scheduled for February 27th, 7pm in Council chambers at City Hall.

Comments

[Mike]

It looks nice in the renderings, one thing to triple/quadruple check is that they provide more than adequate parking in their land use plans. There are very few developments that seem to have sufficient parking.

[Jane]

It does look nice. I am cautious about development, but I support higher density structures like this one.

Pictures indicate green areas including play areas for kids which is good for safety, meeting residents' needs, etc.

However, actual "green" (ie. heavily watered) as opposed to "natural" should be less extensive --restricted to basic building borders and a play/picnic area.

Also important will be a requirement for effective (ie. not like on Overlander Bridge!) pedestrian and cycle routes from the complex to downtown, to reduce dependence on cars. eg. Require developer to create sidewalks to downtown, plus plant low-water trees to shade those sidewalks. Otherwise, Kamloops' car problem will increase further.