There was notable excitement at Lake Country Council Tuesday (Sept. 3) as it gave initial approval to an apartment development to replace the Airport Inn.
Calgary-based Eagle Crest Construction is planning a four-building, 364-rental-unit development for 11474 Petrie Road. The developer has also agreed to keep rentals in place for five decades.
“It’s a very well put together application,” Coun. Cara Reed said. “To do something of this scale with this low level of variance I think this an impressive achievement.”
Reed also asked district staff about potential upgrades to the intersection at Highway 97 (Robinson Road).
Planning Manager Brian Zurek noted that the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure was consulted.
“They didn’t have any comments or requirements for infrastructure improvements off the site…the engineering team would work with the applicant at future stages to determine frontage works and service improvements and other infrastructure upgrades.”
Zurek added that the development is a much needed contribution to Lake Country’s housing supply, pointing out the district required about 250 units a year between 2021 and 2023.
“The need for residential housing has outpaced the supply in our community. Historically the district has issued fewer permits than that averaging around 147 permits per year (2016-2021).”
Mayor Blair Ireland said he would be glad to see the Airport Inn come down.
“I think everybody in the community is excited to see what’s there go away and see something new rise up.”
The former owner of the inn had allowed many people to live in the building over the years, during which time there were dozens of calls to the RCMP for property crimes and drugs.
It was shut down for health and safety reasons after a deck collapse in 2017.
