Kelowna

Kelowna's controversial downtown re-development plan is one step closer to reality.

City Council Monday gave second and third readings to the Comprehensive Development Zone(CD21 Zone), by a 6-3 margin.

Mayor Sharon Shepherd and Councillors Robert Hobson and Michele Rule voted against the proposal.

The three dissenters liked the overall concept, but had problems with some portions of the CD Zone, mainly the heritage component and the prospect of a hotel being constructed on the old Royal Trust site.

"I want to re-iterate again, I like the concept of the CD Zone, I think there are lots of really good things in it, but I can't support it the way that it sits with the Royal Trust site and with the lack of protection for the heritage buildings," says Rule.

"So, I just won't be able to vote in favour. I feel badly about that. I'd like to be able to vote in favour, but, I can't."

At the other end, Councillor, Andre Blanleil, says he wouldn't change a thing within the CD Zone presentation.

"I certainly heard loud and clear from the public that this was something that they want to see. I know the contentious issue for some on council is the Royal Trust site and the hotel site," says Blanleil.

"I think our planners, architects and even our parks people came up with real answers as to why it's to have that hotel site there. I guess if you look at the rest of the site, down by the Prestige would be another hotel possible and then some day, hopefully another hotel next to Prospera Place."

Blanleil says to have three downtown hotels would be very good for the city in terms of making the downtown thrive.

Despite listing off a number of positive aspects of the CD21 Zone, Hobson was unable to get past the lack of protection for the heritage buildings along Bernard Avenue and Water Street.

"What concerns me is I don't think we have all the tools yet in the plan to achieve the objectives of the plan. The reason I say that is the HRA that we require for heritage buildings is based on the facade being retained," says Hobson.

"My view is these heritage buildings should be protected in their entirety and everyone within the CD area should be contributing to the preservation of those buildings in some form. We should not be relying on the ability of a couple of property owners just north or just south of Bernard Avenue to negotiate with those property owners."

Hobson says with the CD21 Zone going through, it would be wise to look at the rest of the downtown plan as well.

"Many people have asked throughout the process that we relate this development to the rest of downtown. I know I have asked throughout the process how the height in this area is going to relate to the height of the rest of downtown."

Just a week ago, the Advisory Planning Council looked at a proposal for a 26 storey building on Bernard Avenue just a block and a half east of the CD Zone.

Meantime, some councillors took a swipe at Mayor Sharon Shepherd.

"This is a bit of a tough one for a lot of council, and we've been weighing different aspects, listening to the public and, I just wonder in this case since you always end up speaking last, I wonder if you wouldn't mind sharing some of your thoughts up front just to help guide us," says Given.

"No, I think I am going to wait. I'm going to reserve because I like to listen and put forward my thoughts," retorted Shepherd.

Following the meeting, Given indicated he felt it would have been beneficial for the mayor to offer some leadership in the matter.

"I didn't ask her ahead of time. When I sat there, I just thought it might be appropriate if she spoke first for a change. That was the only reason I asked."

For her part, Shepherd praised the CD Zone concept but says she was a bit disappointed, saying she didn't believe they had received the perfect plan.

Shepherd compared it to a present.

"You get a present and it's beautifully wrapped and you open up the parcel and you have a whole bunch of other little parcels inside," says Shepherd.

"As you open up each little parcel, you find some things you get really excited about and other things you think hmmm, not great, in fact I am going to take that back."

Councillors Given and Carol Gran were both taken aback by Shepherd's portrayal of the CD Zone.

"I am so stunned by some of the things that you said. We have been going down this road for two years, we've had five unanimous votes. The entire idea that you weren't even close to what you wanted to see there," says Gran.

"I'm stunned because we sat in many meetings about this and I've never heard you say those things before."

The current council will likely not a chance to give final approval to the Comprehensive Development Zone.

Prior to adoption, the plan must first be approved by the Ministry of Transportation.

That approval would have to come back from the MOT within two weeks for this council to get a chance to vote on it.