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