Westridge developers and residents stayed at city hall late into the night Tuesday evening to passionately argue for and against a proposed zoning amendment which would see secondary suites legalized at 375 Mandarino Place.
In the end, despite receiving fierce opposition from many residents who live in the Strata subdivision located at the end of Westridge, council narrowly voted in favour of the amendment.
Mayor Walt Cobb, Coun. Ivan Bonnel and Coun. Craig Smith opposed the motion, while Coun. Laurie Walters, Coun. Sue Zacharias, Coun. Jason Ryll and Coun. Scott Nelson voted in favour of allowing legal secondary suites.
Some in attendance during the vote, which happened at about 9:30 p.m. after almost two hours of debate, yelled at council, while others went up to share their grievance with the decision to councillors one-on-one.
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Councillors in favour of the controversial rezoning decision said they needed to separate facts from emotions, noting the city is currently facing a rental shortage for young professionals and families trying to move to the community.
The argument was also made that surrounding uses already allow for secondary suites in the area and that a vote in favour was a vote for the greater community’s current housing needs.
Residents opposed argued their lots are smaller and their streets narrower than traditional subdivisions throughout the city and secondary suites would only add to the increasing congestion.
They also noted that they purchased their homes to enjoy the quiet nature of the subdivision and felt additional suites would undermine their property values and erode their sense of community.
In pleading his case against the rezoning, Bill Montgomery reminded councillors there is an election coming up next month.
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The bylaw zoning amendment was proposed by developers Luigi Mandarino and representatives from 3Gen Cabinetry Corp. who were also on hand.
Tyler Boucher took to the stand and said he had better make his arguments before he was “too vilified.”
Boucher argued there is a demand for secondary suites in the city and estimated about half the houses in the development could provide suites, which could also supplement the home owner’s income, many of whom are retirees.
“Our economy has changed and we have to change with it,” Boucher said.
The bylaw zoning amendment was passed based on the two following conditions:
• That a civil engineer’s report is undertaken to show that the subject property meets the storm drainage, water and sewer capacity requirements needed to accommodate secondary suites;
and
• That any secondary suite within the subject property adheres to the parking requirements under Division 400 of the Zoning Bylaw.
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