Kelowna City Council has given initial approval to rezoning applications for two housing projects.
During the Monday meeting, council gave first reading to an application to rezone 1951 Cross Rd. to the MF3r - Apartment Housing (Rental Tenure Only).
“This application followed a land acquisition that our strategic real estate team made to allow for a redevelopment project with the province’s Community Housing Fund,” staff told council.
Earlier this year, BC's Ministry of Housing announced that nearly 250 affordable housing projects were happening or planned for the Okanagan-Similkameen.
That included plans for 65 homes for families, seniors and people living with disabilities at the Cross Road site. However, unit count will be “solidified” during the development permit process.
Council was told the MF3 zone allowed for buildings up to six storeys, however, there is an opportunity for a height bonus because the units are proposed to be rentals.
The rezoning was carried unanimously.
The second rezoning application was for a property on Highland Drive.
The applicant is looking to change the property to the MF2 - Townhouse Housing zone to allow for 19 townhouses.
Innocept Developments submitted their rezoning application in mid-May, which was followed by a development permit (DP) application in late June.
Although city council was only considering the land use, the DP indicated there would be four three-storey buildings and most units would have three-bedrooms.
Staff said this application was “well aligned” with the OCP core area neighbourhood intent.
Coun. Ron Cannan said he was concerned there was a lack of sensitivity to the neighbourhood.
“I agree there’s lots of positive aspects as far as looking at the location and the potential for some townhomes in that area,” Cannan said.
“I’m concerned with the traffic, parking will be a huge challenge. I’m looking at more (like) six or eight units and that’s what residents had been advised when the first application was MF1 so, they never anticipated it going to MF2.”
He said 19 townhomes was too much for the area and thought the application needed to be respectful to the existing neighbourhood.
This application was carried and supported by city council, except coun. Cannan.
Next steps will see these rezonings given second and third readings then adopted. After that, development permit applications could be given consideration.
