Roundabout proposed for new development

A housing proposal for the former WhistlePunk Hollow Adventure RV park on Centennial Way passed second reading on January 21 and is now headed to a public hearing.

A council approval would mean creation of a new mixed-use neighbourhood with condos, rental apartments, commercial space, a child care, and public art.

It would also mean upgrades on the primary intersection at Loggers Lane and Centennial Way, including creating a roundabout design.

“The neighbourhood’s primary intersection at Loggers Lane and Centennial Way would be upgraded with a roundabout design with safe pedestrian and cyclist crossings,” says a staff report.

Engineering staff recommended a roundabout design over a four-way stop for active transportation and traffic safety reasons.

“With a roundabout, pedestrians crossing the road are in the direct sightline of drivers both as the vehicles are entering and exiting the roundabout – versus pedestrians being at the edge of the driver’s peripheral vision in a four-way stop,” according to the staff report.

The proponent has also offered to provide pedestrian signalized crossing lights for the roundabout crosswalks as requested by Council, even though they are not required from an engineering and traffic safety perspective.

The cost of the roundabout is $600,000 which will be paid by the developer.

The new development by Anthem Properties is proposing 84 townhomes, 79 condos, 80 purpose-built rental apartments, of which 23 units will be affordable rentals secured through a housing agreement.

Office space and light industrial employment space is also being planned as part of the development spread over three sites. The project proposes services on the north site such as a café, along with small offices such as for a doctor, a lawyer and sports medicine.