Another application in Courtenay for a 鈥榮econdary suite鈥� will go to public hearing June 12.

A property at 1986 Fourth St. East has applied for rezoning from Residential One (R-1) to Residential One S (R1-S) to permit the suite.

The applicant, David Regehr, proposes to build a 734 sq. ft. addition to his single family home. The suite would include one bedroom, one bathroom, living room and dining area and a kitchen. The suite will also contain an outdoor patio and storage space.

There are two driveways in the property鈥檚 front yard.

The suite has been designed as an addition to the back of the existing dwelling and will retain the 鈥榗ottage-like character鈥� of the main house. Only the suite鈥檚 front entryway will be seen from 4th St. East.

An existing cedar hedge and other landscaping will protect privacy for both the tenant and neighbours.

Council鈥檚 policy to-date has been to consider secondary suite rezoning applications on a case-by-case basis.

The city鈥檚 affordable housing strategy encourages 鈥榠nfill鈥� development in the form of secondary suites when it complies with land use policies in the Official Commuity Plan.

A public meeting as required was held March 15 by the applicant.

He reported to council that there 鈥渨as no resistance to the proposal, only minor concerns.鈥�

Concerns were raised about street parking, what type of tenants would be sought, and whether the owners were planning to sell the property.

鈥淥n the tenant issue, and a concern that the suite would be rented out to a bunch of teenagers with lots of cars, we pointed out that the suite is designed for a single person, and that with our experience of raising teenagers and hosting foreign students we will be seeking a mature, long term tenant who 鈥榳ill respect our neighbours and our quiet enjoyment of our properties鈥�,鈥� wrote Regehr in his report to council.

The public hearing starts 5 p.m., June 12 at city hall.