It has been a long wait, but it looks like two large vacant lots in Barrhead’s north end will finally be filled.
Town of Barrhead councillors unanimously approved Land-Use Bylaw 01-2019 meeting in two straight readings following a Feb. 12 public hearing. First reading was Jan. 8.
The bylaw, which rezones lots 4 and 6 of block M from R4-residential to R2S-residential small lot, will allow Urban Sky Developments to build two semi-attached 12-unit-condominium complexes on two, lots in what used to be the old trailer park on 46 Street near 50 Avenue. The lots have been vacant since the trailer park moved.
Coun. Ty Assaf asked if any of the units would be available to lease.
Tom Keogh, of Urban Sky Developments, said that would be up to the condominium association, noting they will be marketing and building the units as “bare condos.”
“So you, as an owner, would own your unit from the ground up, including the exterior,” he said.
Common areas, like sidewalks and proposed amenities, such as a clubhouse, park and garden area, would be owned and maintained by the association.
Coun. Leslie Penny asked if the complexes will also be the responsibility of the association.
Keogh noted an interior access road would not be necessary as units’ driveways face an existing municipal-owned road or laneway.
He added they designed it this way to maximize the area available for the common areas.
Coun. Dausen Kluin asked if local contractors and tradespeople would have an opportunity to bid on the project and Keogh said they hope it will be completely built by local labour.
“It’s just more practical to have feet on the ground. Even our site manager is being contemplated as local,” he said.
Coun. Don Smith asked if they considered upgrading the laneway from gravel to asphalt, noting he wasn’t sure how well gravel would hold up to the amount of traffic that is expected.
Keogh said no, but they were willing to talk with the town about the possibility. However, any extra costs would be reflected in the units’ sale price.
“We want to keep them affordable, but we are talking to town staff and are open to having an open and mutual discussion,” he said.
