A public hearing is set for Monday, July 17 to rezone a property on Mission Road in Courtenay to allow 34 single residential lots, all of which would permit secondary suites.

The 4.05 hectare property is presently zoned Residential One B and is located east of Veterans Memorial Parkway and north of Mission Road.

The proposed zoning amendment would see the property change to Residential One S, to allow all the secondary suites.

A park widening in the proposal requires a small portion of the property to be rezoned to Public Assembly Two.

Ian Buck, Director of Development Services, told council July 4 that this development has been under consideration for a number of years.

The project adjoins Agricultural Land Reserve property. There was an attempt some years ago to take that property out of the ALR but there were issues with the provincial Crown grant to the landowner.

Buck said the proposed development adheres to the city鈥檚 new tree retention bylaw.

鈥淭hey have been able to meet the new standards without difficulty,鈥� he said.

Buck said some trees will have to come down, but staff have worked with the developer on grading of the site to eliminate retaining walls that would have meant tree removals.

鈥淭here鈥檚 more of a natural slope which will protect a number of trees,鈥� he said.

Coun. Doug Hillian said he was 鈥渧ery pleased to see the tree bylaw in action 鈥� and not proving to be an impediment.鈥�

The public hearing starts at 5 p.m. in City Hall.