Councillor Charlie Hodge drew a round of applause at council含羞草研究社檚 Monday (Mar. 11) meeting for his stance on potential infill housing development in Kelowna含羞草研究社檚 heritage conservation area.
New provincial legislation sets out density targets for several zones in municipalities across B.C.
READ MORE: Frustration and acceptance for Kelowna council on housing legislation
含羞草研究社淚 don含羞草研究社檛 think we含羞草研究社檙e leading by saying yes to this, I think we含羞草研究社檙e leading by saying no, not this time,含羞草研究社� Hodge added. 含羞草研究社淚f that is going to cost us something down the road含羞草研究社hen so be it.含羞草研究社�
The approximately 20 members of the public attending the meeting applauded the comment.
Ryan Smith, director of planning and development, said there was likely no ability to separate the heritage component from the rest of the legislation, noting it could cost the city if council pushed back.
含羞草研究社淢y response would just be speculation含羞草研究社�.but there may be things like grant funding applications含羞草研究社�.where it含羞草研究社檚 tens of millions of dollars that relate back to that decision.含羞草研究社�
Hodge likened the province含羞草研究社檚 actions to those of a playground bully.
含羞草研究社淚f somebody doesn含羞草研究社檛 stand up and say no they含羞草研究社檙e just going to continue to do it.含羞草研究社�
Councillor Ron Cannan was on the same page as Hodge.
含羞草研究社淲e have nothing to lose by saying no, this is our position as a council.含羞草研究社�
He noted that Penticton is holding several public open houses to hear residents含羞草研究社� comments on the provincial housing legislation.
含羞草研究社淭here含羞草研究社檚 a point where there含羞草研究社檚 a hill to die on and this is it for our heritage conservation area.含羞草研究社�
At a previous council meeting, Cannan suggested the city write the province asking that the few blocks in the Abbott Street and Marshall Street areas be exempt from the legislation.
Councillor Luke Stack sat on the other side of the issue, pointing out that staff are working on coming up with ideas on how to protect heritage areas.
含羞草研究社淚 would rather focus on what we can do as a city rather than dig in our heels and say we含羞草研究社檙e not going to follow the province含羞草研究社檚 directive and you can含羞草研究社檛 make us.含羞草研究社�
At previous meetings, staff have recommended that infill developments in heritage areas be limited to four units on a single-family lot. Provincial legislation calls for six units.
Councillor Maxine DeHart suggested that concerned residents go directly to the source.
含羞草研究社淧erhaps go to your MLAs, they are your body. I含羞草研究社檝e put that in writing to many people.含羞草研究社�
Cannan made a motion to defer giving three readings to zoning bylaw amendments to conform to the legislation. It was defeated with just him and Hodge in favour.
Council then voted to give the three readings with Cannan and Hodge opposed. Councillor Gord Lovegrove recused himself from the discussion and vote citing a conflict of interest.
含羞草研究社淭his was not an easy decision by this council,含羞草研究社� said Mayor Tom Dyas. 含羞草研究社淲e know exactly the rules being imposed on us, not only in this particular area but areas throughout the community.含羞草研究社�
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