Although they praised its innovative part-condo, part-rental configuration, Councillors Gord Lovegrove, Ron Cannan, and Charlie Hodge opposed a 33-storey tower planned for downtown Kelowna.
Council debated a development permit for the Mission Group project at the corner of Lawrence Avenue (346) and Water Street (1551) during a public hearing on Nov. 5. Although he liked the project, Lovegrove said it was not the right fit for the area.
香蕉视频直播淵ou look around this council and there are four new members for a reason, and one of the big ones Coun. Cannan twigged on, and we were reminded by one of the delegations, it香蕉视频直播檚 too much,香蕉视频直播� Lovegrove said.
Cannan credited the developer for the building's 香蕉视频直播渉ybrid approach香蕉视频直播� but also felt it was in the wrong part of town.
香蕉视频直播淭o me, it seems more of an innovative workaround of the present zoning bylaw. The parking reduction may be consistent with the rental-only policy, which is a policy I don香蕉视频直播檛 support and have been working to change,香蕉视频直播� Cannan said.
Cannan was referring to a variance to the project that allows a reduction in parking in exchange for additional rental-only units. Of the 262 units, 89 are rental, which includes 14 bonus suites. The development is also allowed to rise to 33 storeys from the zoned 26 floors through city initiatives.
Mission Group contributed approximately $105,000 to the Public Amenity and Streetscapes Fund, one of two streams available to developers. The other is the Housing Opportunities Reserve Fund. Three residents spoke against the project, questioning a lack of affordable housing options.
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Coun. Rick Webber asked what advantage rental-only units provided when any owner-occupied unit in the building could be rented. Staff said purpose-built rentals are overseen by the Residential Tenancy Branch, and that unregulated rentals could be subject to renovictions or owners taking their units back.
香蕉视频直播淚 don香蕉视频直播檛 know that there香蕉视频直播檚 a strong benefit to the rental-only aspect, but that香蕉视频直播檚 just my perspective,香蕉视频直播� Webber added.
The rest of council noted that the development is needed in the downtown core.
香蕉视频直播淲e need this density to support our economy year-round, and it香蕉视频直播檚 exciting to see the new office tower downtown, but we need to enhance that with more people living down here,香蕉视频直播� Coun. Loyal Wooldridge said.
Council voted to grant the development permit, with Lovegrove, Cannan, and Hodge opposed.
