Meeting holds McCurdy fate

Photo: Castanet Staff

Kelowna city council has a number of options in front of it as it prepares for a special meeting on the contentious McCurdy Road supportive housing project.

However, one of those will not be a vote to potentially rescind the zoning bylaw and development permit for the property.

City clerk Stephen Fleming says his office has not been directed by council to include the bylaws and permit on this afternoon's agenda.

"One option council has is to direct the city clerk to put the bylaws and development permit for 130 McCurdy back on a future council agenda so they can vote on them a second time," said Fleming.

At Monday's council meeting, Mayor Colin Basran announced the special meeting would be held in chambers at 4 p.m. today. The timing is significant, because it falls exactly 30 days after the initial rezoning was given final approval and the development permit issued.

Under legislation, councils have 30 days to bring back any item for reconsideration.

Basran is expected to open the meeting with remarks based on discussions he has had with Housing Minister Selina Robinson concerning the 49-unit low-barrier facility.

Based on those discussions, Fleming says council will then determine its next step.

One of those options could be to allow the project to proceed as planned.

A petition with more than 14,000 signatures of people opposed to the facility was presented to council Monday.

Residents are upset the facility, which would allow residents to use drugs inside their rooms, is too close to schools, parks and seniors complexes.

Castanet will provide a live video broadcast of the proceedings, beginning at 4 p.m.