A public hearing on a major housing development in West Kelowna had a rough start on Tuesday (Feb. 25) night.
The audience initially struggled to hear the presentation about 117 townhouses and duplex units planned for 2971 Gorman Road. City staff members and the project applicant香蕉视频直播檚 representative were asked to speak up several times by Mayor Gord Milsom.
Council took questions from residents in attendance and over the phone, including one man who called in although he was at the hearing香蕉视频直播攃ausing some confusion.
香蕉视频直播淵ou香蕉视频直播檙e the caller?香蕉视频直播� Milsom asked, before instructing the man to come to the microphone. The man continued speaking from the back of the council chambers until the audience applauded and encouraged him to step forward.
香蕉视频直播淭here is no need for clapping,香蕉视频直播� Milsom said. 香蕉视频直播淲e want to make sure everyone is comfortable addressing council.香蕉视频直播�
Citing a lack of infrastructure in the area, Glenrosa resident Bill Vassar said the development was nonsense.
香蕉视频直播淥ur water sucks out here, we have no sidewalks, we pay, pay, pay, pay taxes香蕉视频直播攆or what? And this clown comes in to do this big build? No, no, I香蕉视频直播檓 not going for it. And we香蕉视频直播檙e not going for it.香蕉视频直播�
Gilles Rouleau went door-to-door, speaking with his neighbours and gathering signatures on a petition opposing the project.
香蕉视频直播淚f this development moves forward, we fear our community will lose its peaceful, rural feel,香蕉视频直播� he said.
Several speakers voiced concerns about the lack of a secondary route in case of emergencies such as a wildfire, additional pressure on the storm and sanitary sewers and the power grid, a lack of amenities, and insufficient public transit.
香蕉视频直播淚f you downsize, I think it will be a lot more acceptable than what you香蕉视频直播檙e considering now,香蕉视频直播� said resident Rick Scofield, who told council that taxpayers have had enough. 香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e not getting our money香蕉视频直播檚 worth. The salaries that are being paid for 40,000 people are insane香蕉视频直播攜ou香蕉视频直播檙e not worth it.香蕉视频直播�
Two people spoke in favour of the project.
香蕉视频直播淒evelopers have been stonewalled for far too long, I think. We香蕉视频直播檝e got to open it up,香蕉视频直播� said James McGill.
Resident Bobby Jones said the development would support economic and job growth, improve infrastructure, and provide new amenities. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 also gonna strengthen our community.香蕉视频直播�
Travis Tournier, the development manager for the project, told the hearing that the project proposes homes starting under $600,000.
香蕉视频直播淲e hope that the multi-million-dollar storm sewer upgrade and the acceleration of the Glenrosa corridor study will help alleviate two of council香蕉视频直播檚 biggest concerns and bring support to this application, ultimately providing more affordable homes to West Kelowna.香蕉视频直播�
A staff report indicated that other developments in Glenrosa, at various stages of planning, could add up to 1,400 units to the neighbourhood over the next several years.
Council voted to deny property rezoning to allow the project to move forward, with Councillor Jason Friesen and Mayor Milsom opposed.
香蕉视频直播淭hroughout our community, we just don香蕉视频直播檛 have enough townhouses and duplexes,香蕉视频直播� Milsom said. 香蕉视频直播淭hey could provide more affordable housing for lower-income families and seniors. There香蕉视频直播檚 a need there.香蕉视频直播�
The developer can apply for rezoning again in six months.
