Family from Colombia killed
Bear killed after attack
Eby doesn't want Singh's job
Moe wants to hit 'reset'
Liberals short of majority
Blanchet calls for truce
22 people killed in China
Racist AI deepfake case
Cardinal withdraws 
Industry strikes hopeful tone
Trump to help automakers
Estimating the impact 
Could Rose be reinstated?
Vees playoff series schedule
Vees heading to finals
John Cleese tried LSD at 65
Cannes unveils film jury
Hackman autopsy results
Re. Pushing back on NIMBYs, (Castanet, Feb. 25)
I found the comments from the Kelowna city councillors related to concerns of several members of the community quite interesting.
This concerns construction of nine townhouses on a single-family lot at 2236 Stillingsfleet Road (in Kelowna).
The province stated in 2024 municipalities could not refuse four units on a single-family lot (if the proposal met a minimum size). That was to increase density. The City of Kelowna took it one step further and said six units, a 50% increase in density over what the province requested.
So how do we get to nine units on a single-family lot? Not only that but they will also be tall—three storeys high, extending front to back on the lot. That’s a lot to squeeze on one residential lot.
One councillor noted people are supportive of densification until it arrives on their street. I think people are supportive of four units, maybe six, but nine units? Not all densification is the same.
Another councillor said people don’t want six-storey apartment buildings next door. That seems a little out of touch. He stated there are some challenges in neighbourhoods. He mentioned council is doing its best to mitigate it. How about four townhouses, two-storeys tall set, back so there are trees and some green-space and they don’t loom over the adjacent properties? Approving the project as requested doesn’t come across as mitigation in any way.
Yet another councillor mentioned they live in an infill area. Did the councillor move into an area where infill had already occurred? Not all infill is the same.
One councillor said he lives in an apartment building and there are three apartment buildings nearby. Did he choose to live there? We are not talking about choice in this instance. Further, he said he doesn’t think it’s as bad as some of the residents have stated. (But) they live there.
One of the councillors stated infill housing is part of the future planning. Again, not all infill is the same. This is extreme density.
Coun. Ron Cannan perhaps put it the best saying growth needs to be implemented more gradually, with a little more sensitivity to the character and form of the neighbourhood.
Susan Ames
