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Kelowna  

No Sandman for gravel pit

Kelowna city council is being asked to say no to an application for a Sandman Hotel on the former Pier Mac site across from Kelowna's airport.

The application first came before council in November of 2017, but council deferred a decision to give staff time to report back on the development status of the Airport Business Park Zone.

That report, reviewed by council during a morning meeting in March, indicated the intent of the business park was to provide an area that "supports high technology and general industrial uses that complement the activities of the airport and UBCO destinations."

The report further stated alterations from the original vision would have "significant, unintended consequences."

"Significant departures from this could have ripple effects, and create unanticipated challenges to traffic volume and pattern changes, infrastructure requirements, reduced industrial land availability, dilution of commercial activity outside of the urban core, lack of supporting transit, and add risk to the upcoming Gateway study," the report concluded.

The former Pier Mac site is already home to a small commercial mall and a Four Points by Sheraton hotel, with a second hotel set for construction just to the south.

"In conclusion, staff continue to recommend that council not support additional changes to the CD15 zone.

"The purpose and intent should be upheld via inquiries and development application processing, to promote certainty about what this industrial node is going to serve now, and in the coming years."
 



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