AN applicant has won the right to subdivide his mostly forested property into 12 single family lots after receiving a unanimous vote from District of West Vancouver council Monday.
Despite concerns about making a dangerous turn onto a busy road and possible environmental damage to the nearby McDonald Creek watershed, Chris Charlwood of Charpac Properties Ltd. won the right to develop the 2.46 hectare property.
The development will include a cul-de-sac road intersecting with Skilift Road.
"The major concern is access to Skilift Road," said neighbour Colin Ambrose, who pointed out the new road would intersect Skilift at its steepest point.
"There's a lot of people who barrel down the road," agreed Coun. Craig Cameron.
Nearby traffic lights allow for a long enough gap to allow cars travelling west to turn onto Skilift Road safely, according to director of engineering and transportation Raymond Fung.
"This property has been landlocked since 1974," said Bill Chapman, a land surveyor speaking on behalf of the applicant.
Worried about "a scar on the hillside," Coun. Nora Gambioli asked if the area would be "denuded of trees."
"The tall area trees are too tall," explained Chapman, pointing out that many of the trees on the property are more than 10 metres tall.
As part of the development, Charlwood offered to pay for the new road as well as a trail running through the property.
The improvements, which include 10 years of trail maintenance before the path reverts to the district, are projected to cost $342,000.
The project includes regrading and replanting the area near McDonald Creek.
"I do have a particular concern for the modification and mitigation that is being proposed for the riparian area of McDonald Creek," said West Vancouver naturalist Bruce McArthur.
Regrading the area near the creek to allow for easier development would be a mistake, according to McArthur. "The existing 15-metre riparian zones should be left intact in this location and regrading is not necessary," he said.
McArthur called on retaining walls to be built to minimize the disruption to the creek bank.
"Let's be more committed to altering structures to facilitate the environment," McArthur said.
The project may be going ahead without enough consultation, according to editor of West Van Matters Carolanne Reynolds. She called on council to undertake a hydrology study to examine the effects of cutting down tall trees in the area.
"Streamkeepers have said it's not an issue," said Coun. Nora Gambioli.
However, Gambioli called on council to delay a vote on the subdivision until council could do more extensive consultation.
The motion was defeated with only Gambioli supporting it.
The first-term councillor expressed concern that the forested, steep hillside was being turned into isolated homes with new sidewalks as the only communal glue.
There is currently one home, a tennis court, and a barn on the property.
Due to her husband's legal involvement with the development, Coun. Mary-Ann Booth recused herself from the debate.
