Kelowna City Council has agreed to issue a development permit for a 197-unit project on Clement Avenue.
Earlier this week, council reviewed the form and character of two six-storey buildings that will go up at 815-865 Clement Ave., which is just between Ellis and Richter streets.
The properties were rezoned to the MF3r – Apartment Housing Rental Only zone in March.
Staff said the two buildings will sit on a shared underground parkade with over 200 parking stalls. There would be some at-grade parking, loading stalls and two Modo car share stalls.
Over 150 long-term bicycle stalls would be provided inside the building.
Coun. Ron Cannan had issues with the “monolithic” block of six-buildings all along Clement Avenue and was concerned about the transitioning areas on Ethel and on Gordon Drive.
Staff told council that Clement is a transit supportive corridor with bus stops within 50 metres of the property.
“The Official Community Plan would support up to six storey buildings along the transit supportive corridor (...) so we would expect similar building forms built along the transit supportive corridor, give or take. Some might be a bit taller or a bit shorter,” staff said.
“To the south is where we would expect the transition to happen, so towards Coronation and the adjacent single-detached neighbourhoods (...) that’s likely where we would expect a step down in density and building height.”
Staff said the developer has tried to break up the site by adding a mid-block connection and stepbacks on upper storeys to reduce the impact of the building’s massing onto Clement.
.png)
There would be a mix of bachelors, one-bedrooms, two-bedrooms and three-bedrooms.
The western building, closest to Richter, would have a rooftop patio with planters, outdoor furniture, outdoor kitchen, a dog run, bocce court and barbecues. There would also be patios on the sixth floor.
The eastern building would also have similar amenities with just patios and no rooftop patio.
“Very exciting project,” coun. Charlie Hodge said, adding that he was pleased with the amenity space in these two buildings.
Coun. Loyal Wooldridge wondered why staff said in their report that the project “generally conformed” with the OCP’s guidelines on form and character.
Staff said the building has changed from a “one very long, bulky building about 150 metres long” to the two-building design with similar architectural designs but with different shapes and varied building materials. However, staff said there was still a “unified architectural concept.”
“I actually think the development team has done a very good job to responding to staff direction,” coun. Luke Stack said.
“To split this into two buildings, it gives it two complete different facades. So, from a street perspective, you’re going to get to two different looking buildings instead of one monolith building. To me, that’s a pretty big change.”
Coun. Stack applauded the amount of amenity space, including the indoor amenity space that can be used during the winter months.
He pointed to the 197 homes that would be replacing 10 small single-family homes, within an easy walking distance to downtown.
“I think it’s a marked improvement and, I think, something we should be very pleased with,” he added.
“I think this is a big win. I think the development ream has done a good job responding to some of the things that they may have heard over the past couple years for our council."
Coun. Loyal Wooldridge said this project was going to bring a lot of benefits to the community.
“Almost 200 units of housing, splitting up the building so you can actually walk between them makes a lot of sense to me. Most importantly, this is bringing rental product right on a transit oriented corridor, which can help us increase our transit service, so I’m supportive of that,” coun. Wooldridge said.
“It’s our job to be critical and make sure our citizens are getting the best that they can.”
Ultimately, the proposal was supported unanimously by council.
Now that the development permit has been issued, the existing single family homes will be demolished and the developers can move to the building permit stage.
Thumbnail photo credit: City of Kelowna
