Proposed bylaw amendment voted down over concerns about how neighbours would react
A rezoning proposal to allow the construction of a fourplex in Apex will not move forward.
At Tuesday’s city council meeting, councillors reviewed recommendations made by the planning and development committee at its meeting last week.
One of those recommendations was to consider a bylaw amendment to create an exemption allowing the fourplex to be built on a lot zoned as low density. It also recommended staff organize a public hearing for residents to share their opinions about the proposal before it was considered for final approval.
The proposed rezoning would apply to the lot at 3141 Jack Anawak St., where developer Patrick Leubou was planning to build a housing complex with four units.
But when that item came up for consideration, Coun. Kyle Sheppard, who supported the plan last week, told his colleagues he changed his mind.
“I struggled with this a lot since we reviewed this last week, and talked to a lot of residents in the area and there’s a lot of opposition to this,” Sheppard said.
“At the same time, this is the type of housing that we need to see more of in our community, but it needs to be done in the right place.”
Sheppard pointed to some multiplex units built on Joamie Court as an example of where denser housing hasn’t panned out well.
Deputy Mayor Kim Smith, who chairs the planning and development committee, said she wanted to move forward with the committee’s recommendation so residents could voice their concerns at a public meeting.
“We just don’t have that opportunity very often, so that’s the main reason I want to see this move forward,” she said.
A motion to accept the committee’s recommendation and give first reading to the bylaw amendment was defeated in a 4-2 vote.
Smith and Coun. Simon Nattaq voted in favour, while councillors Methusalah Kunuk, Romeyn Stevenson, Sam Tilley and Sheppard were opposed.
Instead of moving forward, the proposal will go back to city staff for further review.
