The Onni development group applied to build a 23-unit cluster home complex as part of the Evelyn Drive project at a West Vancouver council meeting Monday.
While still in the preliminary phase, the application would result in 10 per cent more site coverage as Onni turns 17 apartment units at 25,620 square feet into 23-cluster home units at a total of 36,232.
The development, which is ultimately slated to include 349 units, is bordered by Keith Road, Park Royal North, and Taylor Way.
Millennium Development had made a commitment to put Keith Road's hydro lines underground, but that promise was never fulfilled, according to West Vancouver planning director Bob Sokol.
"It was something they said they would do but it was never anything that was documented and in writing and it's not a commitment that was passed on to Onni," he explained.
The hydro lines drew the focus of Coun. Bill Soprovich.
"I'll tell you they look quite ugly," he said, before addressing Onni's development manager, Eric Hughes.
"Will your company now - or with the fruition of your development - support the initiative to help pay for the undergrounding of the hydro lines on Keith Road?" he asked.
"It's a lot easier from our position if we are talking about an increase in values to the developer," Hughes replied.
If the rezoning results in higher land value, a community amenity contribution paid by Onni to the district could go towards putting the lines underground, according to Sokol.
Neighbouring views were a concern for a few councillors.
The project will now head to the district's design review committee. If moved forward, the cluster home complex will be subject to rezoning and a public hearing and council debate as part of the approval process.
