Spallumcheen’s first-ever application for a hillside development permit is a familiar one.
Lorne Major has submitted a development permit application to build a 25-lot bare land strata subdivision at property in the 3200 block of Upper McLeod Road in McLeod subdivision.
The application has been before council twice before, in 2004 and 2007, but now fits into the township’s amended OCP as a hillside and wildfire hazard development permit area.
All properties designated as hillside in the OCP, and all parcels larger than two hectares with more than 50 per cent of the property area having grades of 12 per cent or steeper are designated as a hillside development permit area.
“The subject property satisfies both of these criteria, and the proposed development does not meet any of the exemption criteria, so a hillside development permit must be obtained prior to subdivision of the land,” said deputy planning manager Greg Routley.
The hillside development permit area is designated for protection of natural environment, ecosystems and biological diversity, as well as protection of development from hazardous conditions.
It also establishes objectives for the form and character of residential, commercial, industrial or multi-family residential developments.
Coun. Joe Van Tienhoven brought up the topic of wildfires in inter-urbanface areas becoming more and more of a problem, and more severe.
“The applicant will be required to assess the site and provide recommendations with regards to developing the subdivision in a fire smart way,” said Routley.
Major is proposing 22 lots zoned single family residential, and three lots zoned country residential. Staff recommended council give the application favourable consideration, which it unanimously did.