The need for affordable housing in Kelowna won out over neighbourhood concerns at a public hearing (Apr. 18) for a townhouse project planned for the North End.
The developer wants to build nine units at 979 and 983 Coronation Avenue but asked for a height variance, from two storeys to three, for its rezoning application. Several area residents spoke against the project.
含羞草研究社淭he current zoning checks all the boxes,含羞草研究社� said one neighbour. 含羞草研究社淭here is already an established pattern of development. It含羞草研究社檚 like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.含羞草研究社�
Much of the concern was over the height variance as well as the closeness of the townhouses to the street.
含羞草研究社淚t doesn含羞草研究社檛 fit the existing neighbourhood,含羞草研究社� said another resident. 含羞草研究社淚 can see it working in 15 years, but right now it含羞草研究社檚 ginormous in massing and in height.含羞草研究社�
Speaking on behalf of the applicant Brian Quiring with MQN Architects in Vernon said the development adheres to smart growth principles.
含羞草研究社淚t limits urban sprawl含羞草研究社t含羞草研究社檚 upgrading the existing housing stock含羞草研究社t provides alternative housing type, ground-oriented units,含羞草研究社� he added. 含羞草研究社淚 can含羞草研究社檛 agree that it isn含羞草研究社檛 the right fit.含羞草研究社�
Several councillors sided with residents in opposing the project.
READ MORE: Kelowna councillor says townhouse project 含羞草研究社榦verkill含羞草研究社� for neighbourhood
Coun. Rick Webber noted that when the development first came to council he had said that it looked like a tight fit for the neighbourhood.
含羞草研究社淚 just have the feeling that it含羞草研究社檚 the right project in the wrong spot.含羞草研究社�
Coun. Mohini Singh said she was on the fence but pointed out Kelowna needs housing.
含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檓 sorry but I含羞草研究社檓 going to support this for the sake of just that need to address the housing crisis we are facing in our city.含羞草研究社�
Coun. Luke Stack added that he also wrestled with the project.
含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 a tough one because this is the first one we含羞草研究社檝e seen in this neighbourhood and we want to get it right.含羞草研究社�
Mayor Tom Dyas, who ended up casting the deciding vote on the matter, also said the city needs affordable housing.
含羞草研究社淲hat含羞草研究社檚 happening to our community is that it含羞草研究社檚 being mandated on us that we look at having development.含羞草研究社�
Dyas also asked the applicant to pay attention to design features in its project that provide privacy for area neighbours.
含羞草研究社淚t is just a request but when it comes back it will be noted for yourself and staff that those particular things will be looked at during the building permit stage.含羞草研究社�
Council voted 5-4 to give second and third readings to rezone the property, with councillors Webber, Gord Lovegrove, Charlie Hodge, and Ron Cannan opposed.
gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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