Dozens of Lantzville residents gathered out front of District Hall to protest a proposed rezoning which protesters say goes against a recently finalized OCP. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

DEVELOPMENT DILEMMA

Proposed high-density development in Lantzville draws mixed reception

Sep 29, 2020 | 5:19 AM

LANTZVILLE — Prosperity versus lifestyle is at the heart of a contentious debate over a large multi-unit residental development in Lantzville.

Around 40 people staged a vocal protest outside District Hall on Monday night, before and during a public hearing on the proposed ClarkMedd development.

The development is projected to add 280 properties to the small municipality, which opponents say goes against the recently adopted official community plan.

“Why would we sacrifice that for development that is not in keeping with that,” Brian Blood, Lantzville resident, told NanaimoNewsNOW. “We’ll get noise, we’ll get a crowded landscape, we’ll get degradation of our beautiful, green community and we’ll also pay more taxes…I just don’t see what’s in it for us.”

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The development is pitched as a mixture of housing including properties with secondary suites, townhouses and single-family homes.

The large scope of the project exceeds the level of acceptable growth outlined in the official community plan, so it requires an amendment by Lantzville council.

Material from the developer presented at an open house in July suggested the properties would add to Lantzville’s commercial core by increasing the population around central areas of town.

The developer also highlighted improvements to road, accessibility and infrastructure throughout the community.

Hans Larsen, a 31-year resident of the community, said one of the common benefits he hears from supporters are the development cost charges, which are fees paid by developers to cover increased future use of infrastructure such as roads.

“Some people are casting that as if it’s a big pot of money and Lantzville will be filthy rich,” Larsen said. “Those things are meant to compensate for impacts that are going to occur off the property, so (that money) is already spoken for.”

The proposal had its supporters, many of whom spoke at the virtual public hearing.

Roger Green, a Lantzville resident since 1997, told the hearing the development offers more opportunity for Lantzville to be considered a go-to place for an affordable lifestyle.

“There are seniors in Lantzville who would like something smaller and there are young folk who would like to live in Lantzville but who neither want or can afford a million dollar house on a half acre lot,” Green said.

Green also said the cash benefits of the ClarkMedd development far outweigh any negatives and would provide the town a much needed financial boost.

Jack Whitaker, another long-time resident, told council both Surrey and Saanich are increasing density to attract new residents and build a tax base.

“(The OCP) is not a rigid document, it’s a guideline. The Council is right when they changed density and zoning for the betterment and good of the community,” Whitaker said.

He added increasing density preserves land while adding to the tax base, while sprawl only causes issues for infrastructure.

The amendment went through first and second readings in May and must go through third reading before final adoption at a future council meeting.

alex.rawnsley@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley