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.
sa国际传媒淭he current zoning checks all the boxes,sa国际传媒� said one neighbour. sa国际传媒淭here is already an established pattern of development. Itsa国际传媒檚 like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.sa国际传媒�
Much of the concern was over the height variance as well as the closeness of the townhouses to the street.
sa国际传媒淚t doesnsa国际传媒檛 fit the existing neighbourhood,sa国际传媒� said another resident. sa国际传媒淚 can see it working in 15 years, but right now itsa国际传媒檚 ginormous in massing and in height.sa国际传媒�
Speaking on behalf of the applicant Brian Quiring with MQN Architects in Vernon said the development adheres to smart growth principles.
sa国际传媒淚t limits urban sprawlsa国际传媒tsa国际传媒檚 upgrading the existing housing stocksa国际传媒t provides alternative housing type, ground-oriented units,sa国际传媒� he added. sa国际传媒淚 cansa国际传媒檛 agree that it isnsa国际传媒檛 the right fit.sa国际传媒�
Several councillors sided with residents in opposing the project.
READ MORE: Kelowna councillor says townhouse project sa国际传媒榦verkillsa国际传媒� 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.
sa国际传媒淚 just have the feeling that itsa国际传媒檚 the right project in the wrong spot.sa国际传媒�
Coun. Mohini Singh said she was on the fence but pointed out Kelowna needs housing.
sa国际传媒淚sa国际传媒檓 sorry but Isa国际传媒檓 going to support this for the sake of just that need to address the housing crisis we are facing in our city.sa国际传媒�
Coun. Luke Stack added that he also wrestled with the project.
sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 a tough one because this is the first one wesa国际传媒檝e seen in this neighbourhood and we want to get it right.sa国际传媒�
Mayor Tom Dyas, who ended up casting the deciding vote on the matter, also said the city needs affordable housing.
sa国际传媒淲hatsa国际传媒檚 happening to our community is that itsa国际传媒檚 being mandated on us that we look at having development.sa国际传媒�
Dyas also asked the applicant to pay attention to design features in its project that provide privacy for area neighbours.
sa国际传媒淚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.sa国际传媒�
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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