Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 soon-to-be-tallest building will be three storeys shorter than originally planned.

Council has approved development permits for the UBC Okanagan downtown campus tower at 43 storeys. The building, proposed for 550 Doyle Avenue, first came to council at 46-storeys.

香蕉视频直播淲hile this represents a departure from the 2040 Official Community Plan (OCP) downtown heights map, which suggests a height of 26-storeys, the OCP also has policy that supports the increased height,香蕉视频直播� said Trisa Atwood, city planner. 香蕉视频直播淧olicy 4.4.3 states that if a proposal contains significant benefit to Kelowna citizens, it should be considered for additional height which does apply in this case.香蕉视频直播�

Atwood noted those benefits include rental housing, a post-secondary institution in a socially connected urban centre, and outstanding architectural design. Councillor Luke Stack said the project is a substantial improvement and a gain for downtown.

香蕉视频直播淚 also want to thank the applicant for reducing it a few storeys and listening to council香蕉视频直播檚 concerns and the public香蕉视频直播檚 concerns.香蕉视频直播�

The building will house academic space on levels one through eight, and 473 rental apartments on levels 12 through 43.

香蕉视频直播淚t meets a number of our objectives, 473 rental units is astounding,香蕉视频直播� said councillor Loyal Wooldridge. 香蕉视频直播漀ormally we approve about 955 annually, so that香蕉视频直播檚 basically half in one afternoon.

Atwood told council that currently there is a 1,300-person waiting list for student housing at UBCO香蕉视频直播檚 main campus. The downtown tower will house nursing and social work programs with 500 students eligible for housing. The height of the building was still a concern for some on council.

香蕉视频直播淏ut I香蕉视频直播檓 impressed with the project overall, said Coun. Mohini Singh. 香蕉视频直播淚 think it香蕉视频直播檚 a coup for us to get a world-class university right in our downtown core.香蕉视频直播�

Although he called it a 香蕉视频直播済ame-changer香蕉视频直播� to have UBCO downtown, Coun. Charlie Hodge was the lone vote against the development.

香蕉视频直播淚 still can香蕉视频直播檛 get past the height, I think it香蕉视频直播檚 overkill,香蕉视频直播� added Hodge. 香蕉视频直播淚 also think it creates competition for other potential student housing facilities in the downtown. I think the focus should be education first and housing second when it comes to this particular project.香蕉视频直播�

Hodge also said he felt the development was contrary to the OCP.

香蕉视频直播淚 have some concerns about the safety, and good luck with the parking I hope that works.香蕉视频直播�

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gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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