Vernon city council rejects much-needed rental apartment building

Vernon city council has kiboshed a plan to let a developer build a 29-unit rental building in the city.

On the table was a 29-unit, four-and-a-half-storey apartment slated for a site at 4001 34A Ave. The site is currently zoned for such a property, but the developer, Keerat Homes, needed several variances for the building's design to be issued a building permit.

The proposed building at would sit on a site next to a current 60-unit apartment block, Hilltop Manor, built in the 1970s.

The proposal generated strong opposition from surrounding residents, 10 of which made passionate speeches at council against the project. A petition containing roughly 30 signatures from neighbours against the project was also received by council.

Nearby residents complained about the lack of parking and extra traffic in the Alexis Park neighbourhood. Several neighbours complained the building would destroy their privacy as the apartments would look directly into their homes.

While the site is zoned for a four-and-a-half-storey building the developer had requested to change the minimum rear yard setback from nine metres to 1.7 metres and the west setback from 4.5 metres to one metre. The developer also wanted a reduction in parking spaces from 40 to 33.

Councillors Akbal Mund and Scott Anderson both said while they normally vote in favour of development they would both vote against the project.

"This one just doesn’t fit," Coun. Mund said.

"I too am going to vote against this," Coun. Anderson said. "The number of people of feel this will disrupt not only their own properties but the entire neighbourhood."

Councillor Kelly Fehr also wasn't in favour of the project.

"If it was affordable housing I’d say yes. But I say no," Coun. Fehr told the meeting.

Mayor Victor Cumming also voted against the project saying the building's rear yard was too close to a well-used adjacent laneway.

Councillor Kari Gares voted in favour of the proposed apartment pointing to a vast shortage of rental properties in Vernon.

"We’re at a crossroads with the fact we have such a shortage of rental homes," Coun. Gares said. "This particular complex will fill a need."

Councillor Brian Quiring pointed out the land was already zoned for a four-and-a-half-storey building, but he didn't agree with all the variances the developer was requesting.

Ultimately, the variances weren't approved by council sending the developer back to the drawing board.

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