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Creek change given green light

By FRED DAVIES
News Reporter

September 18th, 2007

It's generally perceived as running through Mark's Nature Park but a portion of Parksville's Carey Creek actually crosses private land - something that will need to be remedied if a development at 440 Island Highway West goes ahead. A city planning committee has granted preliminary approval in a process that could result in re-routing of the creek to allow for construction of a franchise restaurant and 56-unit multifamily development. "The creek will be re-routed through an adjacent city owned lot between Mark's Nature Park and the subject property,"said Blaine Russell, manager of community planning. "Currently it's an open ditch which cuts across the developer's property,"said the city's director of engineering Gary O' Rourke. "This is the last opportunity on that creek system to maintain an open watercourse." City officials are granting favourable reviews for a plan by Radcliffe Development Corp. to move a portion of creek. The re-routed section will remain exposed and include a series of riffles and a stormwater pond providing some additional environmental protection. Riparian plantings along with a public trail linking Mark's Nature Park to the highway are also anticipated. "I'd like to congratulate everyone involved with this,"said Councillor Barry Johnston. "I'm really impressed with what we're seeing right now." A zoning change from single family to tourist commercial will be required for the north half of the subject property to permit a 7,225 square foot restaurant. In addition the applicant is requesting a change in the OCP, on the southern half, to multi-family residential allowing for the housing development. Land flanking the redeveloped watercourse will be dedicated as park. Analysis provided by planning staff states, "denial may create pressure to develop under existing RS-1 zoning ... neither the highest and best use of the land nor the most sustainable." The creek has been the subject of concern for water advocates who lament the degradation of the watercourse resulting from its burial and rerouting through storm drainage pipe. The application will now go to council for bylaw introduction and second reading before proceeding to a statutory notification process. reporter@pqbnews.com


Original Source:
http://www.pqbnews.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=50&cat=23&id=1066131&more=1

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