Nelson's mayor says that despite local opposition, city council is in no position to question the first 24-unit phase of a planned 360-unit housing development at the Granite Pointe golf course. "I would say that for this stage of the development, the developer has met all of the requirements of being able to develop that land," Janice Morrison said. "He's met the Official Community Plan requirements, he's met the zoning requirements.
He's allowed to build the first 24 units." Those 24 townhouse units raised many eyebrows in Nelson because of their price tag of $1.85 million each, and because of the plan for two boutique hotels and a spa as part of future phases of the development.
Locals have protested the developer Hallō Properties' plan to build luxury housing in the midst of a housing affordability crisis in the city. But Morrison said that future phases of the development could potentially come under council's scrutiny because the developer will have to apply to rezone the land, and that application will come before council. In 2019 council rezoned the property for the initial 24 units, which included a public hearing.
Nelson's Official Community Plan, which is due to be updated next year, recommends 300 units of mixed housing types at the golf course. It states that some of it should be affordable but does not define what affordable is. Morrison pointed out that the OCP allows small commercial enterprises on the golf course land, but the intent is that they be modest .