Taking steps with Trilogy’s interchange lots

By Colleen Dane - Comox Valley Record

Published: September 11, 2008 6:00 PM
Updated: September 11, 2008 6:14 PM

It’s one step back before big steps forward for a handful of Trilogy’s Interchange lots in Cumberland.

The properties described as “initial” lots, brought forward to council two years ago, had their third reading status rescinded by the village this week, so changes could be made to the whole project at second reading, and then be moved forward together.

“Two separate applications were submitted at different times and are now moving together in the process,” said planner Judy Walker in her report to council.

The initial lots,  including Lot 4, the “lifestyle centre” at the northeast corner of the Inland Island Highway and Comox Valley Parkway, as well as Lot 9b, the large residential project proposed for east of Village Park, had already been through public hearing and been given third reading, based on a memorandum of understanding between the village and the developer.

The MOU roughly outlined the amenities Trilogy would give to the village for the project, and was meant to be the beginning of the Comprehensive Development Agreement that would be finalized before approval.

That CDA has grown to include both the initial lots, and what are being called the “remaining lots.” These are mostly on the east side of the Inland Island Highway, which are seeking largely mixed commercial-residential zonings.

“The new inclusive CDA ... has sufficient changes to warrant rescinding that third reading of the five bylaws and returning them to second reading to be amended,” said the report.

The changes proposed for the bylaws are in many cases simply housekeeping, such as correcting terminology for dwelling units, combining allowed uses into one umbrella definition, making building heights and setbacks consistent and more.

Two notable changes include adding “flex units” into Lot 5, on the southeast corner of the highway and parkway, and the removal of clotheslines as a prohibited element in design guidelines.

The amended bylaws for the remaining lots and the rescinded bylaws for the initial parcels were all approved by council, with Coun. Gwyn Sproule standing by her opposition to residential at the interchange lands and the rezoning from working forest to residential.

They also agreed that the CDA has to be complete, and approved by council before a public hearing date would be set for the entire project.