Correspondence: M.H. Johnston & Associates Inc. regarding 148 Atkins Road

Re: Application to rezone 148 Atkins Road.

Attached is our application to rezone the property at 148 Atkins Road from R-1 to R-1B. The application would permit the existing large lot ( 1391 sq.m ) to be subdivided into two lots. The existing double wide mobile home on the site is well beyond its prime, and would be removed to allow the construction of two new single family homes.

The Official Community Plan (OCP) designates the area as single family residential and because of the size of this property the creation of two medium size single family lots would be supported by the objective in the OCP for infill housing. Immediately behind the property is the Galloping Goose Trail and E&N Railway and the Galloping Goose will provide an excellent opportunity to utilize an alternate transportation mode to parks and the broader community.

The property is within the Atkins Neighbourhood and both Thetis Lake and Mill Hill Parks are within walking/cycling distance. Lakeside Village commercial is developing and we anticipate that this commercial node would provide services, within walking distance, for Atkins Road residents as well as the Thetis Vale and Lakeside Communities. The OCP indicates that the property is not in a development permit area.

Development of the new homes would make use of the existing services fronting the property (sewer/water/gas). One of the lots would make use of the existing driveway with only one new driveway access required. For Council's consideration I have attached a proposed subdivision layout for the property showing how the two lots would be serviced and the potential building envelopes on each lot. Our Arborist has done a report (attached) on the site and has provided comments on the proposed subdivision and protection of the trees on site. We anticipate that almost all of the existing trees can be protected which will allow the screen for the neighbours to remain.

I have also included a site plan showing potential building footprints for the two lots to illustrate that, because of the size of the lots, there is flexibility to locate houses that address the arborists concerns regarding protection of the trees on site. We would build the homes and incorporate the Arborists recommendations.

The owners of the property, James and Catherine Cross, purchased the site to allow them to build a family home for themselves and their son. Their son is a 'special needs' child (Autistic) and will soon be an adult. He presently lives at home but the plan is to build their family home on proposed lot A and a home with a suite on proposed lot B, which would provide their son with an opportunity for independent living as an adult and support him financial, from the rental of the remainder of the home. James and Catherine decided on this location because the Galloping Goose Trail provides their son with access to an alternate mode of transportation (cycling), because he will not be able drive a car.

The Cross Family also operates a home based internet business that would fit into the neighbourhood without increasing traffic. When completed the rezoning would permit the construction of two new homes for the Cross Family and also provide two affordable ground oriented rental units for the community.

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Mark Johnston M.H. Johnston & Associates Inc.