Hearing contentious issues

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Property proposed for development

The Penticton city council will hold three public hearings at a larger venue tonight, Monday, in anticipation of a good sized crowd showing up.

The hearing expected to get the most attention at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, entails rezoning a property at 175 Kinney Ave. from single family residential to comprehensive development.

The site, currently occupied by an old house, is being considered for the development of townhomes and three, four-storey apartment buildings. 

Also under consideration, is changing the future land designation of the location from parks and recreation to medium density residential.

Residents who live in the nearby Cherry Lane Towers are concerned about an increase in traffic impacting both them and schoolchildren.

The property is adjacent to Parkway Elementary School, where work was recently done to slow traffic.

The fact that an area previously identified as parkland could see its use changed, is also worrying said a resident, who asked to not be identified.

A second hearing will focus on an applicant's plan to build duplexes at 601 and 609 Ellis Street. The result will be a total number of six suites on each lot.

The third will address fencing, with temporary fencing, construction fencing or other fencing that is not permanently affixed to the ground, only to be permitted on properties currently holding a valid business or demolition permit or for special events.

The public meetings start at 6 p.m., a special council meeting will follow the hearings.

The regular council meeting is slated for Tuesday at City Hall.