The owners of a 12th Avenue property are defending their plans to build a five-unit townhouse development on the site.

They’re speaking out after city council voted 4-3 Tuesday evening to put off the final two readings of the zoning change that would allow the development to go ahead.

The rezoning would see the site changed from its current Residential Single Detached (RS) to Residential Multiple Housing (RM).

Art Kehler owns 21 12th Ave. with Lilibeth Gallanosa.

If the plans were reviewed in detail, Kehler told the Star this morning, it would be clear to council and the nearly 40 who signed a petition against the rezoning that the proposal actually addresses many of the issues that have arisen around parking, traffic and more.

Concerns around parking, crosswalk safety, and the maximum height limit of 15 metres have all been brought forward.

Right now, the driveway leading from the current house and garage is next to a crosswalk.

Many residents are expressing concerns over the safety of the area. They’ve been reporting “near-misses” while using the crosswalk with vehicles speeding on the roadway.

Kehler noted the plans would see the driveway for the site moved to the other side of the property. That would actually take the entry away from the crosswalk and ensure vehicles would not have to back out of the property into the crosswalk – as is the case now.

There’s space for about 20 vehicles to park at the back of the lot behind the proposed townhouses, he said.

Kehler acknowledged that vehicles speeding along 12th is an issue and has been for a long time.

However, that problem is separate from his development, he said, and it’s unlikely the addition of five townhouses would have an impact on that.

“We’re not raising the speed limit,” he pointed out.

Kehler said he’d have no problem if the city wanted to build speed bumps all along 12th Avenue to slow down traffic. He also said he would have no issue with the city making the avenue a no-parking zone.

Kehler also addressed concerns that have come forward on the maximum height limit of 15 metres for the RM zone. It’s been argued that a structure so tall would be out of place in the area.

Kehler pointed out his proposal is for a two-storey structure – the same height as many homes on 12th Avenue.

Lowering the height limit to 10 metres on the townhouses would not be an issue for him, he added.

“All I want to do is better (the property),” he said, noting considerable work has gone into planning the development.

Kehler said he left messages for council members this morning to clarify the plans.

If the deferral of the rezoning issue takes too long, he said, he and Gallanosa would look instead at subdividing the property and putting in two duplexes, each unit with a potential suite.

Under the current zoning, they could pursue that without having to get council’s approval.

With that option, Kehler pointed out, the lot would become two, with separate driveways – including the current driveway that would remain at the crosswalk.

Kehler said he and Gallanosa were planning to demolish the current house on the site and break ground on the new development – whether that be townhouses or duplexes – this year.

“We can’t wait too long,” he said.

Kehler listened to the discussion and deferral at last night’s council meeting. He’s hoping to learn within a couple of days just how long it might be before council votes on the final two readings of the bylaw.

From there, he and Gallanosa will decide how to proceed.

The 4-3 vote saw councillors Dan Boyd, Samson Hartland, Rob Fendrick and Jocelyn Curteanu vote to put off the decision.

Mayor Dan Curtis (who attended via conference call) was joined by councillors Betty Irwin and Roslyn Curteanu in voting against the deferral.

Those in favour continued to raise the numerous issues that have come up, including pedestrian and traffic safety studies that are underway, with one expected to be finished in the fall.

As Curteanu said, given the traffic concerns that have come up for many who have children making their way across the crosswalk, it’s important that council does its due diligence in looking at the issue.

Similarly, Hartland said he felt like council doesn’t have all the information it should before making a decision.

Meanwhile, those against the deferral argued the city has all the information it requires on the matter and highlighted the need for more housing in the city.

Irwin took issue with the maximum 15-metre height making the development a dominating feature of the area. An amendment to limit it to 10 metres would address that, she pointed out.

Irwin also noted her firm belief that urban densification is the “most responsible way” to provide more places for residents to live.

Others – both for and against deferring the issue – also noted their support of a greater housing stock, though four said they want more information before they make a decision.

Meanwhile, delegate Cam Kos took issue with an email exchange between himself and Curtis over the rezoning.

Fendrick, who sat in the mayor’s seat, shut down Kos’ presentation.

Fendrick said the issue is not related directly to the rezoning (and therefore could not be addressed at the regular meeting). Rather, Fendrick said, the mayor’s email is related to the city’s procedures bylaw.

Kos refused to provide the email to reporters who requested it, stating he wanted to keep the focus on the rezoning issue.

He did note he may return to make his presentation at a future standing committee meeting. Those sessions enable delegates to speak on any topic rather than just matters being dealt with at the meeting.

Kos said he doesn’t want to see the 12th Avenue site rezoned.

He would rather see any new development keep with the RS zoning to keep with the character of the neighbourhood, he said.