Paradise subdivision gets new life after insolvency
By Mark Squibb
Paradise council has approved a 28-lot subdivision connecting Kenmount Road to Silver Birch Crescent.
The semi-detached homes will mark the first phase of a multi-phase project, with staff recommending council approve it subject to 33 conditions.
The subdivision was originally part of the larger Karwood development formerly know as Market Ridge. Since Karwood entered creditor protection in 2025, Big Island Builders has taken over the development and renamed the subdivision Evergreen Ridge.
“It is fitting, perhaps, that a new name will come to the area, and I’m hopeful that this means a new experience for residents in the area,” said councillor Sheldon Antle. “I spoke to a former resident just this morning on the phone, who shared his experience when he lived in the area. He’s subsequently moved away, but he said he’s always been keeping an eye on that particular area. I provided some of the conditions that are going to be put out there and we had a great conversation, and he’s pleased to see that’s we’re being vigilant.”
Some of the conditions include open space and landscaping requirements, and acceptance of a landscape plan. No additional phases will be considered until a complete concept plan for the area, and a traffic plan are approved. No occupancy permits will be issued until a booster pump station is complete.
Council discussed the matter at length during its July 21 committee of the whole meeting, with councillors Sheldon Antle and Glen Carew, and Deputy Mayor Kimberley Street, directing much of the conversation. Conditional approval was granted at the July 28 public council meeting.
Street said she is happy to see the development move forward as it had been on the books “for quite some time.”
She said several residents have asked her whether Marketplace Way would be removed to make way for the new lots.
Antle said while there are no plans to shut down Marketplace Way, the full traffic and concept plans have not been submitted.
Carew had also spoken with residents who are concerned about the fate of the road.
“We’ve always been told, since the beginning of the last term of council, that that was actually a private road, it’s not built by the Town, that’s why there’s no sidewalk on it, that’s why there’s no streetlights on there,” said Carew. “We’ve been telling residents that this is a private road and it may not exist after this area starts to get built up, and so I guess that’s why they’re asking that question.”
Carew also asked whether the open space behind the office building at 1108 Kenmount Road will be left undeveloped, and wondered weather trees or shrubs couldn’t be planted as a buffer.
CAO Lisa Niblock said the Town could add a condition that the area be landscaped.
Carew also asked how the development might impact traffic on Kenmount Road.
Antle noted a traffic plan was completed ahead of the initial development, and repeated that a future traffic plan will be required before further development is approved.
“We’re dealing specifically with this smaller piece, and I think there’s a bigger piece of it that we would be looking at when we see this phase come to completion,” said Antle. He added the Town has the right to request modifications to the road network as required.
Carew also asked whether two new roads included in the development will be completed with asphalt and curb and gutter prior to the building of the 28 homes.
Niblock said work on the road and the homes will be ongoing at the same time, and that the roads will need to be up to snuff before anyone moves in.
Carew also asked about the open space allocation for this particular phase, but Antle didn’t have that detail.
Lastly, Carew pointed out there are some matters relating to the development which cannot be discussed publicly yet due to legal reasons.
“There are some issues with deficiencies that are being worked on by staff that are legal matters at this point, so we’re not allowed to speak to them,” said Carew. “I spoke to about five or six residents yesterday who asked questions about it, and when I brought those questions forward, by email yesterday, I got the response that those are being worked on, and that they are legal matters and as such are considered privileged. So, those particular items, those deficiencies, I’m hoping there’s some resolutions or at least some information in the coming weeks and months. I’d like to be able to speak to them, but I really can’t.”
Antle described those issues as ‘hangovers’ from the former developer’s insolvency. He acknowledged residents’ frustration and said staff have been “working overtime” to find solutions.
Street noted that while some residents have expressed concern about possible confusion during any emergencies that might occur in Evergreen Ridge given the Town already has a subdivision titled Evergreen Village, the police and fire departments focus on street names, not subdivision names.