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Unique Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥˜the WedgeÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™ development makes way back to Kelowna council

Council initially deferred its decision on the project in March
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An artistÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s rendering of the uniquely-shaped proposed structure viewed from the corner of Water Street and Leon Avenue. (Contributed)

The Wedge has wedged its way back into Kelowna council chambers.

The uniquely-shaped Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥” and aptly named Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥” six-storey office building proposed at the corner of Leon Avenue and Water Street initially came to council in March Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥” not receiving city staffÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s support.

That was mainly due to issues surrounding the siteÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s inability to contain 10 parking stalls as required in the areaÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s zoning and the applicantÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s unwillingness to pay cash-in-lieu for not having those spaces. The cash-in-lieu of parking bylaw wouldÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™ve seen $330,000 paid to the city, which would make the development financially impractical, according to the applicant.

Council deferred its decision to allow the applicant more time to work with city staff towards a solution regarding the developmentÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s parking stall issues.

This time around, the application is set to go to council with staff support.

The proposal would still see no on-site parking, but due to councilÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s suggestion of compromise, the applicant would pay cash-in-lieu on three stalls, totalling $99,000, and a variance will be issued for the other seven.

Besides parking, several other variances would also be needed for the proposal to go ahead, including three variances related to the propertyÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s setback, one related to a lack of short-term bicycle parking and one to reduce the minimum commercial frontage below the 90 per cent required.

The building would consist of one or two retail tenants on the first floor Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥” the report mentions a bar, cafe or restaurant as a likely option Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥” upper floor offices and a common rooftop patio.

Despite the small building footprint and the small total building area, the applicant has included a bike storage room for 13 long-term bike stalls on the ground floor to encourage active transportation. Washrooms, change rooms, lockers, and showers would be available alongside those stalls.

READ MORE: Paid parking in Kelowna to resume in stages

READ MORE: Bernard Avenue will be closed to vehicles this summer

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michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com

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