A small development of eight new homes in Murrayville that caused a stir during a public hearing earlier this month, has passed third reading with a number of added conditions.
Located at 21982 44A Ave., the two acres of land is surrounded by an existing subdivision, and the development would include the completion of 44A Avenue, which currently stops at either side of the property.
However at the Jan. 16 public hearing, nine community members spoke out against pushing the road through, with many suggesting that it will only create a new thoroughfare for cars to zip along.
The first speaker, Blake Allen, said that the real problem is that 44 Avenue does not currently go through, as a house is located right in the centre. Until that property sells and is developed, he suggested the developer come up with a “more creative design,” using something like cul-de-sacs or a dead end road with a walkway instead.
“It’s not just a paper and crayon exercise here, there’s people here,” he told council.
Meanwhile resident Harold Nagy shared his concerns that a two-storey house on Lot 5, which his house on Benz Crescent backs onto, would have a direct view into his living room and cause an invasion of privacy.
In response, proponent Dennis Martini said that they are simply filling in the roads that were originally planned back in the early 1990s, and that putting through 44A Avenue would help disperse traffic off other roads.
At council’s Jan. 30 meeting, the development passed third reading with the following conditions: that traffic calming measures, if wanted by the impacted residents, will be installed at the cost of the developer; that Lot 5 will have double the required setback on the east side from 1.5 metres to 3 metres; and that the driveway on Lot 5 be relocated to the east side of 44A Avenue.
Coun. Kim Richter also suggested that Lot 5 be required to have a bungalow or 1.5 storey house built instead of a two storey home, however that was defeated. She also wanted to add a condition that 44A Avenue be constructed, but closed off with temporary barricades until 44 Avenue is completed. That amendment also failed.