Council says no to rental property

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Scott Avenue property

Penticton council has again rejected plans to build a multi family housing development on Scott Avenue.

Following a packed and lengthy public hearing Monday, the council voted 3-3 on the matter, sparking a round of applause from those in attendance.

"I don't believe it all has to be on the same street. I strongly believe Scott Avenue has reached saturation point," said Councillor Katie Robinson. "Let's put the neighbourhood out of its misery."

This is the third public hearing on the proposed development at 273 Scott Ave., which would be three storeys and have 13 units.

Although it has been scaled down from a former proposal of four storeys and 17 units, several residents spoke at the meeting about their concerns about the neighbourhood already being congested.

Mayor Garry Litke, who voted against it, shared that sentiment. 

He said it, (the development), doesn't really fit in our zoning requirements, and that there is already too much traffic and congestion on the street from other developments.

"We should try to retain the residential flavour of that neighbourhood and stay within the zoning requirements and the OCP," he said.

Also at the second public hearing, he added, council gave specific instructions to the developer to stay within the zoning requirements. They made some significant change, but it is still not within the parameters outlined at the second hearing.

Councillors who supported the development, stressed the need for affordable housing in the city.

"Right now, around election time, so many people are asking what am I going to do about affordable housing in Penticton," said Councillor Helena Konanz. "One thing everybody agrees to make housing less expensive is to increase density, and this is an example of a developer working to increase density and make it more affordable."