Many Lantzville residents argued against a proposal to build 250 new homes there last year, and now some of them have taken their argument to B.C. Supreme Court.
A group called the Lantzville Community Association filed a petition this week asking that the court overturn official community plan and zoning amendments for the Clark-Medd development.
Bylaw amendments allowing the residential development passed 3-2 last October despite a community petition and protests outside Lantzville District Hall.
Joan Jones, spokesperson for Lantzville Community Association, said she and other residents were “uncomfortable” with the decision-making at the time, both with council’s vote and the process leading up to it.
The District of Lantzville’s official community plan classified Clark-Medd as a special plan area with an anticipated 130-195 housing units, and noted that “a clear and strong rationale must be provided” for proposed development outside that range.
“Maybe they had the clear, strong rationale, but if they did, they never presented it to the community,” Jones said.
RELATED: Lantzville council moves along Clark-Medd project amid protest outside district hall
She said in her opinion, renderings of the Clark-Medd homes show a development that isn’t at all in keeping with the community’s character.
“What the OCP said is we need sustainable growth that maintains the semi-rural character of Lantzville,” said Jones. “Nobody is against growth. They just don’t want to all of a sudden have a massive subdivision in a semi-rural community.”
This week’s petition to the Supreme Court claims that one Lantzville resident was asked to edit a submission on short notice leading up to the Clark-Medd public hearing, and claims council’s public discussion about another resident’s letter on the matter “intimidated” residents from speaking freely at the hearing.
Lantzville Community Association is asking the court to declare the zoning amendment bylaw inconsistent with the official community plan and declare that the district “breached the rules of procedural fairness” at the public hearing. The petitioners are also asking for a court order “quashing” the zoning and OCP amendment bylaws.
The District of Lantzville and a spokesperson for developer Lantzville Projects Ltd. were contacted for comment but did not respond by press time.
RELATED: Lantzville developer agrees to compromise on density of major project
RELATED: Do-over vote has similar result, 280-unit development in Lantzville going to public hearing
RELATED: 280-unit development in Lantzville will proceed to public hearing
editor@nanaimobulletin.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter