Cumberland council granted third reading Monday to four bylaws concerning the proposed Coal Valley Estates residential development.

Each vote was 3-2, with Couns. Kate Greening and Gwyn Sproule opposed.

Greening suggests further consultation with the developer is needed. Noting residents鈥� concerns about building heights and other factors, she also suggests placing Phase 5 of the project on the backburner.

鈥淚t鈥檚 just not worth it,鈥� said Greening, who also opposed a covenant agreement for Phases 4 and 5 of the project.

鈥淚 think this is failing the people of the village.鈥�

Coal Valley Estates received first and second reading on Phase 4 bylaws in 2007. However, due to the lack of available new water connections and sewage treatment capacity, the company did not proceed with Phase 4, which allows for the construction of 130 homes.

In 2008, Coal Valley applied for Phase 5, which includes single- and multi-family units, a seniors鈥� care facility and commercial services totaling 870 units. Phase 5 is separated by a greenway just north of Dunsmuir Avenue.

Concern has been raised about retaining trees in the proposed greenway.

To retain trees, planner Judith Walker states the root zone needs to be protected from disturbances such as changes in grade and drainage.

Council approved a 鈥榥o build/no fill/no disturbance鈥� covenant area. The 鈥榥o build鈥� area includes a 25-foot radius from each mature tree. A clause calls for a geotechnical analysis of the hill near Camp Road before building further subdivisions.

reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com