Kelowna含羞草研究社檚 soon-to-be-tallest building will be three storeys shorter than originally planned.

Council has approved development permits for the UBC Okanagan downtown campus tower at 43 storeys. The building, proposed for 550 Doyle Avenue, first came to council at 46-storeys.

含羞草研究社淲hile this represents a departure from the 2040 Official Community Plan (OCP) downtown heights map, which suggests a height of 26-storeys, the OCP also has policy that supports the increased height,含羞草研究社� said Trisa Atwood, city planner. 含羞草研究社淧olicy 4.4.3 states that if a proposal contains significant benefit to Kelowna citizens, it should be considered for additional height which does apply in this case.含羞草研究社�

Atwood noted those benefits include rental housing, a post-secondary institution in a socially connected urban centre, and outstanding architectural design. Councillor Luke Stack said the project is a substantial improvement and a gain for downtown.

含羞草研究社淚 also want to thank the applicant for reducing it a few storeys and listening to council含羞草研究社檚 concerns and the public含羞草研究社檚 concerns.含羞草研究社�

The building will house academic space on levels one through eight, and 473 rental apartments on levels 12 through 43.

含羞草研究社淚t meets a number of our objectives, 473 rental units is astounding,含羞草研究社� said councillor Loyal Wooldridge. 含羞草研究社漀ormally we approve about 955 annually, so that含羞草研究社檚 basically half in one afternoon.

Atwood told council that currently there is a 1,300-person waiting list for student housing at UBCO含羞草研究社檚 main campus. The downtown tower will house nursing and social work programs with 500 students eligible for housing. The height of the building was still a concern for some on council.

含羞草研究社淏ut I含羞草研究社檓 impressed with the project overall, said Coun. Mohini Singh. 含羞草研究社淚 think it含羞草研究社檚 a coup for us to get a world-class university right in our downtown core.含羞草研究社�

Although he called it a 含羞草研究社済ame-changer含羞草研究社� to have UBCO downtown, Coun. Charlie Hodge was the lone vote against the development.

含羞草研究社淚 still can含羞草研究社檛 get past the height, I think it含羞草研究社檚 overkill,含羞草研究社� added Hodge. 含羞草研究社淚 also think it creates competition for other potential student housing facilities in the downtown. I think the focus should be education first and housing second when it comes to this particular project.含羞草研究社�

Hodge also said he felt the development was contrary to the OCP.

含羞草研究社淚 have some concerns about the safety, and good luck with the parking I hope that works.含羞草研究社�

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gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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