Hillcrest developments to be focus of meeting
With two new developments in the planning stages, parts of the Hillcrest neighbourhood could have a very different look in the coming years.
With two new developments in the planning stages, parts of the Hillcrest neighbourhood could have a very different look in the coming years.
The changing face of Hillcrest is set to be the topic of discussion in the coming days, with developer Kirn Dhillon scheduled to make a presentation about his plans for new townhouses on Hillcrest Drive at tonight’s council meeting.
There will also be a separate meeting for residents on Thursday to discuss both the townhouse plans and the development plans for the former tank farm site.
As well, public hearings are scheduled for next Monday’s council meeting on amendments to both zoning and the Official Community Plan so each development can proceed.
First reading of the OCP amendment that would allow contaminated soil to be removed from the tank farm site was passed in late July.
The land sits between the Alaska Highway on the east, Hamilton Boulevard on the west, Valleyview on the north and Hillcrest to the south. It served as a storage facility for petroleum between 1942 and 1996.
The owners of the property – under the company name of 46447 Yukon Inc. – want to redevelop the site for residential use, with anywhere from 500 to 800 housing units expected.
Soil remediation is expected to start next year and take anywhere from two to five years.
In early August, council also gave first reading of a bylaw to change the zoning of four of Dhillon’s properties on Hillcrest Drive from Residential Single Detached to Comprehensive Residential Townhouse (restricted).
Dhillon is proposing to get rid of the steelox duplexes and build four townhouses where each duplex is for a total of 16 townhouse units.
The Hillcrest Community Association webpage (http://www.hillcrestcommunity.wordpress.com) notes a meeting is set for 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Sport Yukon building on Fourth Avenue for an “informal discussion” on both development proposals.
“They (residents) can share ideas or hone their presentation or submissions if they are submitting any to the city by the Sept. 10 (public hearing) deadline,” it’s noted on the website.
Dhillon is set to be at the meeting to answer questions about his proposed development, with Dalton Trail resident Jim Gilpin scheduled to share his presentation ideas in order to get discussion started.
There have also been ongoing comments about the development on the community association’s Facebook page.
Comments have been varied, with some expressing support and many opposed to the plans.
Others have wondered about issues like parking, with Dhillon continuing to explain the plans.
Comments in support have stated it’s time for something different in the neighbourhood and noted that higher density would help prevent more urban sprawl.
Those opposed have argued the steelox duplexes are part of the neighbourhood’s character and should be renovated, rather than having entirely new buildings constructed.
Dhillon has responded by noting the age of the duplexes and cost of heating them make them less desirable rental units. He noted there are also ongoing repair bills with the buildings.
He pointed to the plans for the new buildings (available on the community association’s website), noting each unit will have two parking spaces.
In an interview last month, Dhillon said his tenants living in the duplexes slated for replacement would be given the option to buy a townhouse.
If they chose not to, Dhillon said, his family has other rental units, and if any of those are available, they would be given the option of moving there.
While the future market place will dictate price, Dhillon said if it remains the same when the townhouses are built, the units would likely be priced in the $450,000 to $500,000 range for the 2,600 square feet of living space.
The townhouses would feature three levels, including a lower level for parking and an office.
On the main floor, stairs outside would lead to a porch and inside would be the kitchen, dining room and living room with a deck outside of the living room.
Three bedrooms and two washrooms (one being an ensuite off of the master bedroom) would be located upstairs.
The townhouses are also proposed to be energy-efficient, with the possibility of using solar panels on the units.
While the public hearing on the rezoning isn’t until council’s Sept. 10 meeting, Dhillon is scheduled to make a presentation tonight on the plans.
No presentations are scheduled tonight on the tank farm property, but the association’s web page notes director Heather Swynstun may make a presentation about that development at Thursday’s meeting.
Officials with the community association could not be reached for comment.
anonymous
Sep 4, 2012 at 6:47 pm
You couldnt pick one of the areas of town that isnt literally falling apart? Why would anyone who is dropping half a million dollars on a house buy there with all the development going on in signifigantly nicer areas… you know…. not next to the flight paths and not in one of the least maintained areas of town. I guess what im saying… who the hell would waste their money on this?