Mayor Colin Basran had about enough of the hullabaloo that city council encountered during a public hearing on Tuesday night.
香蕉视频直播淭hat香蕉视频直播檚 a first,香蕉视频直播� said Basran, after kicking someone out of the hearing.
The night got off to a rocky start after area resident Lisa Simone declared that Kelowna isn香蕉视频直播檛 Seattle, Vancouver or Hong Kong.
She would be one of more than 30 residents who cited their concerns over the UBCO tower planned for 550 Doyle Avenue.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 delusional to propose a 46-storey building on a lot zoned for 12-storeys,香蕉视频直播� added Simone.
Those in opposition of the tower claimed it would be too tall, its impact on neighbouring buildings, traffic and safety concerns. Several councillors and members of the public asked why the tower had to be 46-storeys.
Representatives for the developer said the height was driven by housing needs for students. That prompted a question from Coun. Maxine DeHart about potential Air BnB use when students were not attending classes.
香蕉视频直播淲e expect the population in the building to be less in the summer,香蕉视频直播� said Aubrey Kelly, president and CEO, UBC Properties Trust. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 our intention to have whole-year leases. There will not be Air Bnbs, but short-term rentals of four months.香蕉视频直播�
Kelly said one of their goals is to maximize and monetize the site.
香蕉视频直播淢oney usually comes from the province for universities,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淭here is no provincial or federal money going into this project. We will be building this project with a significant amount of debt. It香蕉视频直播檚 not coming from the taxpayer.香蕉视频直播�
Resident Susan Ames, organized a protest against the tower last week.
香蕉视频直播淭his is not a university, this is eight-storeys of academics in a 46-storey building. You cannot pass this. It could fit into a much smaller building. It香蕉视频直播檚 only been done because it香蕉视频直播檚 UBC.香蕉视频直播�
Staff told council that the 2040 Official Community Plan (OCP) does allow for taller buildings in the area that provides significant public benefits. In the case of the UBCO tower, those benefits are rental housing, post-secondary health and medical uses, enhanced streetscapes and expanded cycling facilities.
READ MORE: UBCO downtown tower planned to be Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 tallest building
The issue of how a potential fire in the tower would be handled was also raised, with a few individuals claiming the city would not have enough firefighters immediately on shift to respond to a blaze on the upper floors.
香蕉视频直播淭he department is involved in the planning and development process,香蕉视频直播� said Fire Chief, Travis Whiting. 香蕉视频直播淲e are working on matching staff growth with city growth.香蕉视频直播�
While National Firefighter Association standards call for at least 43 personnel to respond to a high-rise fire, Whiting noted they are standards and not mandatory.
This after the Kelowna Professional Firefighters Association stated claims its members were once again forced to fight fires with unsafe staffing levels this past Saturday (July 23).
Several speakers supported the project pointing out it would have many benefits for the city and the region.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 an incredible opportunity for the City of Kelowna and the Central Okanagan,香蕉视频直播� said resident Ryan Malcolm. 香蕉视频直播淲ho would not want to have a top 40 educator their downtown. This is a win for the future of this community.香蕉视频直播�
Coun. Luke Stack said he shared concerns over height.
香蕉视频直播淲e took a bit of a tongue lashing tonight,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淏ut that香蕉视频直播檚 how our city works and how democracy functions.香蕉视频直播�
It would be near the end of council discussion that several people in the crowd yelled that council was ignoring public concerns, prompting Mayor Basran to ask one person to leave, which they did.
However, he also said he appreciated the concerns over the height of the UBCO tower.
香蕉视频直播淚 also appreciated the graph staff provided showing a comparison with existing buildings and others that are being proposed. I香蕉视频直播檓 excited to see this project break ground.香蕉视频直播�
Council passed the newly created CD28 zone that makes way for the tower, with only Coun. Hodge opposed.
READ MORE: Kelowna councillor drives change of heart on use of golf course land
gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on and subscribe to our daily and subscribe to our daily newsletter.
