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Kelowna  

Development needs density

Mayor Colin Basran calls it a "legacy project."

But, Coun. Ryan Donn believes it could be a legacy wasted.

Donn led the charge against the latest development on the Central Green site, a five-storey rental apartment on the interior of the site.

It's the first of four rental properties to be built on the site by Al Stober Construction.

Donn's issue, height, or rather the lack of it.

The original site plan called for smaller buildings on the interior and more height from two buildings fronting Harvey Avenue.

However, the site plan which council ultimately approved, reversed that concept, calling for height inside the development site and smaller scale buildings at the highway.

That plan has again been reversed.

"What's stopping them from coming back with five-storeys in the next phase?," wondered Donn.

"I don't think this is the highest and best use for the community. I am going to go with the master plan that we approved and the public bought into.

"This is one of the best spots in town to build high, and if we can't push that...I don't know where else we can be pushing it."

Donn had support from some of his fellow councillors.

"I guess my question is how committed are they to the future 12 storeys, or will we get to that point and have some concerns about how you build 12 storeys, because you've now pinned yourself up against the highway," said Coun. Gail Given.

"It would be sad if we got to that point, and heard we can't really build any height on this site at all. And, we really like six storeys or five storeys."

Given said council has been clear from the outset that it wants density on the site.

"My fear, is as we go to the next buildings, that they are not going to be meeting the intent," added Coun. Tracy Gray.

"I know it's hypothetical, but I want to make sure we are going to be getting the density on the scale of the property that we intended."

Coun. Charlie Hodge, who along with Donn voted against issuing a development permit for the project, disapproved not because of height, but because of look.

Hodge said beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but doesn't find the building very attractive.

Despite some negative comments, there was some strong support from Coun. Luke Stack.

The veteran councillor reminded council the original plans were conceptual in nature.

"The original plans were conceptual in nature," he said.

"Until a development team comes along and begins doing an analysis of the property to determine what will work, what the market will support and what they can finance, I would encourage council to give them leeway as they work through the challenges they are facing."

He also reminded council the city is getting a park which will be built out next year and rental housing downtown, a goal of this council.

"When you look at the big picture of Central Green, I think it's achieving our objectives."

Basran, while agreeing with some of his colleagues' comments, said what the city has now on the site is better than what it had, which is nothing.

But, he did have a message for the developers as they move forward.

"I would ask of the development team that we keep that in mind. That this is a legacy project almost for our community," said Basran.

"How often do you get to have a blank canvas of this size, to create an amazing community."

Construction has already begun on three strata-type for sale buildings on the site.



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