A developer is looking to expand a storage facility in Kelowna’s north end neighbourhood.
Zeidler Architecture has submitted development and variance permits for 950 Ellis St., which is home to Spacious Storage.
The development proposal includes the removal of the existing boat storage building to make way for an expansion to the existing five-storey self-storage facility.
According to the application, the design of the addition will match the existing building and are not expected to see changes to landscaping, site access or services.
As part of the original development of the building, the applicant says extensive work was completed to enhance and protect the riparian habitat area of the adjacent Brandt Creek.
“The proposed expansion of the self-storage facility has been planned to minimize disturbance to the existing landscaping and riparian restoration area, and Best Management Practices will be implemented to ensure any potential construction impacts to the riparian area are mitigated,” the application says.
There are three variances requested in the application, that includes changes to building height, parking and bicycle parking.
When council adopted the new zoning bylaw, the site was changed from the I4 – Central Industrial to the new I2 – General Industrial zone, which saw the maximum building height reduced from 18 metres to 16 metres.
To match the rest of the 18 metre building, the addition will also be that height.
As for parking, the applicant says they have found that parking is under utilized at the site so they are looking to provide 58 parking spaces and 22 loading spaces, which they are confident will meet the parking demands at the facility.
The city requires 100 parking stalls and 10 loading spots.
The third variance being requested is to reduce the number of bicycle spaces. The applicant says there is a limited amount of staff on premises and 18 short-term stalls are expected to meet the building’s needs without 10 long-term spots.
This application has yet to be circulated around the development and planning departments, but can be expected to be forwarded to council in the new year.
