A land exchange has been proposed by the owner of 1960 and 1980 Kootenay Ave. — two empty, recently excavated lots — to reduce the front setback in exchange for a wider alley at the back for the city to store snow and better manage drainage issues.
The neighbours at 1992 Kootenay Ave. have agreed with the proposal which will extend to their property and make their house compliant with set-backs. At present, the house at 1992 crosses the property line on both the south and east sides.
The staff recommendation is for an equal (one-to-one) land exchange with the owners to result in what Coun. Kathy Wallace called a “win-win” proposal.
The proposed exchange will put the three lots a few meters to the south, and 1992 Kootenay will also gain a narrow strip on its east side.
Public works staff are confident they can still manage the snow on the narrowed section of Kootenay boulevard to the south of the lots. Exact distances will be determined at the surveying stage and will depend on making the house at 1992 compliant with set-backs, but also ensuring that the land exchange is exactly one-to-one.
Other issues, such as access to the storm drain from Kootenay Avenue, will also figure into the final lot line that will be drawn during the survey.
Council unanimously passed the proposed bylaw through first and second reading and scheduled a public representation for May 9.