Councillor Charlie Hodge drew a round of applause at council香蕉视频直播檚 Monday (Mar. 11) meeting for his stance on potential infill housing development in Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 heritage conservation area.
New provincial legislation sets out density targets for several zones in municipalities across B.C.
READ MORE: Frustration and acceptance for Kelowna council on housing legislation
香蕉视频直播淚 don香蕉视频直播檛 think we香蕉视频直播檙e leading by saying yes to this, I think we香蕉视频直播檙e leading by saying no, not this time,香蕉视频直播� Hodge added. 香蕉视频直播淚f that is going to cost us something down the road香蕉视频直播hen so be it.香蕉视频直播�
The approximately 20 members of the public attending the meeting applauded the comment.
Ryan Smith, director of planning and development, said there was likely no ability to separate the heritage component from the rest of the legislation, noting it could cost the city if council pushed back.
香蕉视频直播淢y response would just be speculation香蕉视频直播�.but there may be things like grant funding applications香蕉视频直播�.where it香蕉视频直播檚 tens of millions of dollars that relate back to that decision.香蕉视频直播�
Hodge likened the province香蕉视频直播檚 actions to those of a playground bully.
香蕉视频直播淚f somebody doesn香蕉视频直播檛 stand up and say no they香蕉视频直播檙e just going to continue to do it.香蕉视频直播�
Councillor Ron Cannan was on the same page as Hodge.
香蕉视频直播淲e have nothing to lose by saying no, this is our position as a council.香蕉视频直播�
He noted that Penticton is holding several public open houses to hear residents香蕉视频直播� comments on the provincial housing legislation.
香蕉视频直播淭here香蕉视频直播檚 a point where there香蕉视频直播檚 a hill to die on and this is it for our heritage conservation area.香蕉视频直播�
At a previous council meeting, Cannan suggested the city write the province asking that the few blocks in the Abbott Street and Marshall Street areas be exempt from the legislation.
Councillor Luke Stack sat on the other side of the issue, pointing out that staff are working on coming up with ideas on how to protect heritage areas.
香蕉视频直播淚 would rather focus on what we can do as a city rather than dig in our heels and say we香蕉视频直播檙e not going to follow the province香蕉视频直播檚 directive and you can香蕉视频直播檛 make us.香蕉视频直播�
At previous meetings, staff have recommended that infill developments in heritage areas be limited to four units on a single-family lot. Provincial legislation calls for six units.
Councillor Maxine DeHart suggested that concerned residents go directly to the source.
香蕉视频直播淧erhaps go to your MLAs, they are your body. I香蕉视频直播檝e put that in writing to many people.香蕉视频直播�
Cannan made a motion to defer giving three readings to zoning bylaw amendments to conform to the legislation. It was defeated with just him and Hodge in favour.
Council then voted to give the three readings with Cannan and Hodge opposed. Councillor Gord Lovegrove recused himself from the discussion and vote citing a conflict of interest.
香蕉视频直播淭his was not an easy decision by this council,香蕉视频直播� said Mayor Tom Dyas. 香蕉视频直播淲e know exactly the rules being imposed on us, not only in this particular area but areas throughout the community.香蕉视频直播�
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