Lindley Creek development approved

On Tuesday evening, Merritt City Council held a virtual public hearing to consider the proposed development along Lindley Creek.

Due to COVID-19 members of the public were not allowed to attend the meeting and submitted written statements both for and against the proposal.

While the majority of letters received by City Hall were in opposition to the development there were also people in support of the zoning and OCP amendments.

Planning Manager Don McArthur outlined that the property could currently be developed with up to 600 units without council approval and that rezoning the property would limit the development to 300 units over a proposed 10-year build-out.

“It already has medium density zoning on the property, both R2, and R7. Based on the existing zoning on the property the developer could develop up to 600 units,” stated McArthur.

Some of the concerns raised by citizens including losing the open space, which is private property, the size of the development, placement of a mobile park home, sidewalks, and other infrastructure concerns were answered by City Staff and McArthur.

“It’s really a struggle if we’re going to move our community forward. What’s really concerning me right now is we’re in a catch-up mode. We don’t have the money to fix our infrastructure as it goes if we keep the size we are,” said Coun. Tony Luck.

Council voted 6-1 in favour of approving the development with Coun. Mike Bhangu alone in his opposition.

The approved OCP amendment also moved the property out of the Collettville sector and into South Merritt.