Councillor Ron Cannan wants the city to pressure the province to preserve Kelownasa国际传媒檚 Heritage Conservation Area (HCA) from development.

sa国际传媒淎re we going to allow the province to destroy it, I donsa国际传媒檛 think they want to do that either,sa国际传媒� he said at councilsa国际传媒檚 May 13 meeting.

Cannan brought up the issue during a staff update of the HCA including management options and public consultation.

Staff emphasized the importance of preserving heritage values while accommodating the needs of a growing population.

However, new provincial legislation mandates three to four dwelling units when redeveloping a single-family lot, including in the HCA.

Director of planning and development, Ryan Smith, told council that staff have had several discussions with the province regarding the easing of density in the HCA.

sa国际传媒淚 got the same response sa国际传媒楾his hasnsa国际传媒檛 been implemented yet why would we grant exemptions?sa国际传媒檚a国际传媒�

Cannan pointed out that this is a provincial election year.

sa国际传媒淚 think this is a time where we have some leverage to push back on them.sa国际传媒�

He also noted Kelowna is a leader in densification and infill, pointing out this is a provincial election year.

sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檙e not going to build our way out of this affordability crisis,sa国际传媒� Cannan added. sa国际传媒淲e need to preserve some of the heritage and character of our community.sa国际传媒�

A portion of a public hearing this afternoon (May 14) will deal with addressing densification in the HCA.

It begins at 4 p.m. in council chambers at city hall.

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