Photo: Contributed

The City of Kelowna has made some changes to its Health Services Transition zone to help kick start development directly to the north and south of Kelowna General Hospital.

A text amendment was approved by council Monday which would add multi-family housing as a primary use within the HD3 zone.

The change was recommended to accommodate applications for two proposed developments on Royal Avenue to the north of the hospital, one of which came before council Monday.

"The intent of the zone is to create a transitional area between properties located immediately to the north and south of the KGH campus," said planner Jocelyn Black,.

"Proposals should aim to be transitional in nature, with the intent of minimizing impacts of the hospital onto the surrounding neighbourhood. The intent (of the change) is to integrate uses that support KGH, and we see multiple-dwelling as being a supportive use."

After approving the amendment, council also unanimously approved rezoning of the property at the corner of Royal Avenue and Pandosy Street for a mixed-use development.

Black says the applicant plans to construct a two-storey building with four ground-level commercial units and four one-bedroom rental residential suites on the second floor.

Because the property is within the heritage conservation area, a heritage alteration permit showing the proposed building form has been brought forward.