Kelowna

Registered voters in Kelowna will get a chance to decide whether they support construction of a new parkade in conjunction with Interior Health's proposed downtown office complex.

In order to borrow $14M for a new parkade next to Memorial Arena and a further $1M for expansion of the Library Parkade, the city must initiate an Alternative Approval Process (AAP).

If City Council gives its approval for the AAP, electors will have until 4 p.m. Friday, October 26 to voice their opposition.

By the end of the process, if less than 10 per cent of the electorate (9,484) oppose the borrowing bylaw then the city is free to go ahead.

If more than 10 per cent petition against the bylaw, the city would have to either scrap the project or go to a full city-wide referendum.

City Council approved the new parkade and expansion of the Library parkade in an effort to provide parking for approximately 1,000 IH workers as well as make up for lost parking spots on the site of the proposed IH complex bordering Ellis Street, Doyle Avenue and St. Paul Street.

The new parkade is on lands protected by the Kelowna Sawmill Covenant.

Sharon Simpson, who's grandfather Stanley donated the land to the city is vehemently opposed to the parkade stating it is a commercial enterprise which is contrary to the guidelines set out by the covenant.

Four years ago Simpson won a challenge against the city in the BC Supreme Court.

The judge in that challenge ruled the land is the subject of an historic document preventing the lands from being used for commercial purposes.

Simpson is questioning the city's wisdom in going down this road again.

For its part, the city says it has received a legal opinion that building a parkade does not contravene the covenant.