Pinnacle Ridge rezoning gets final approval

It’s all over but the many technical reports.

After years of outcry and intense debate, Anmore council gave final adoption to the Pinnacle Ridge rezoning on Tuesday night.

Spread over 75 acres on the eastern edge of the village, the transformative project is set to be built over 10 years. Including 51 secondary suites, the project could include a maximum of 320 units.

Pinnacle Ridge includes a new park, trails, environmental protection measures, the construction of a water reservoir, as well as reports guaranteed through a Master Development Agreement.

The MDA lays out the steps that need to be met, emphasized Coun. Polly Krier.

“If they’re not, there are opportunities along the way to stop,” she said.

Following approval, there are several outstanding reports to be completed, including a geotechnical analysis, a storm water management plan, and a wastewater servicing agreement as part of the MDA

Mayor John McEwen characterized the MDA as giving “broad discretion” to staff.

“I will not be supporting this at all,” he said. “This is urban density on rural infrastructure.”

Despite calling the reservoir a “must have,” Coun. Doug Richardson also said he struggled with the project, largely around the floor area ratio.

“I did have further discussions with the developer if there was a way we could reduce that FAR that would be satisfactory to them and to me,” Richardson said. “We did not come to any agreement but I want to say I appreciate their efforts in at least trying to accommodate that.”

Couns. Kim Trowbridge and Paul Weverink explained their support Tuesday.

“One of the main reasons I’ve been in support of this is this is a hillside development that’s actually going to pay for itself, Weverink said.

As the area is designated rural, a connection to the regional sewer system isn’t permitted. Instead, property owners will need on-site septic systems that would use timed dosing to treat and gradually disperse effluent.

The development is set to pay the city approximately $2 million in cash along with $709,000 in in-kind contributions. The cash represents about half of the estimated land value uplift, according to a city staff report.