Increasing residential density in Nelson
Re: Nelson council introduces new rules on housing density, March 6
In compliance with Bill 44 the City of Nelson plans to allow three dwelling units on 25 x 120 lots and four on larger lots, but I hope council can apply a bit more forethought before agreeing to rezone. At 930 people per square kilometre, Nelson already has higher density than all other major Kootenay communities. Castlegar, Trail, Cranbrook, Creston, and Kimberley range from 145-to-660 people per square km.
Larger centres exceed Nelson’s density but they have the services, agencies, and basic infrastructure to support them. Twenty years ago when the Liberals reduced our hospital services we argued that Nelson was projected to grow faster than the region and our 5.1 per cent increase proves this, but since government won’t provide all the same services in small towns they can’t demand the same growth.
In 1972 a broad brush was used to draw the initial Agricultural Land Reserve boundaries but soon after they had to fine-tune the zones based on detailed data. The same principle holds here. We can’t paint all communities with the same brush and it’s council’s responsibility to resist until everything is weighed.
In 1997 I sat on the planning commission when we first wrestled with density demands. We allowed the first laneway homes, created exceptions for small lot homes in Rosemont if they included rental suites, and discouraged Walmart expansion in favour of residential development. Nelson has supported greater density for decades and current large developments confirm that.
I’m pleased the city proposes limiting other changes until the new Official Community Plan is complete, so perhaps they could consider a moratorium on larger developments until other communities catch up. Maybe I go too far, but since I can’t find a downtown parking space, can we choose to not finalize the rezone until the province accepts that we’re not all the same?
Brian May
Nelson