Abbotsford city council has approved a housing development on Old Clayburn Road, which will sit on the hill directly above Clayburn Village.

Council voted unanimously in support of the project by Solterra Sunspring Ltd. on Monday night, to build 59 townhouses at 4325 Old Clayburn Rd.

Surrounding residents turned out in force to a public hearing two weeks earlier in Matsqui Centennial Auditorium, and approximately 20 addressed council in speaking against the plan. The city also received 445 items of correspondence related to the development – 233 in favour of the development and 212 opposed.

Residents who spoke against the development said it could it could increase flooding and traffic problems in the village. They also said that the development was too high-density, and should be delayed until more extensive traffic and environmental studies had been completed.

In response, representatives of the applicant, Solterra Sunspring Ltd., said the company had done much to mitigate the concerns. That, they said, included agreeing to introduce traffic calming measures in Clayburn Village, and redirecting runoff so it does not flow into Clayburn Creek.

Council voted 5-0 in favour of the development on Monday, with Mayor George Peary and councillors Les Barkman, Moe Gill, John Smith and Bill MacGregor giving it their backing. The other council members did not attend the meeting.

Council’s decision disappointed Clayburn Road resident Sonya Hossmann, who was just one of a band of residents on Clayburn, Shearwater Drive, Old Clayburn Road, Goodchild Street and Corbett Place who protested the plan.

“They [council] are looking after developers rather than looking after the residents of the Clayburn community and the citizens who voted them in,” she said.