OnMonday, Kelowna City Council approved a rezoning application that will allow for a rental apartment building to go up at 2160 Wilkinson Street.
The proposals for a four-storey building with 29 rental units that would be operated by NOW Canada Society.
City staff told council that the building will support women with children.
Since 1998, the society has offered programs and services for women and youth who have experienced addictions, abuse, sexual exploitation and mental health challenges, says the NOW Canada Society website.
Their building will include on-site services and supports for future tenants.
According to an application submitted to the city in August, 20% of the units will be “deep subsidy” units while 50% would be Rent Geared to Income (RGI) housing and the remaining 30% would be offered to people with low to moderate incomes.
However, Kelowna council only approved the rezoning for the property and any further details will be dealt with at the development permit stage, which staff said could come forward as early as January.
“I just wanted to comment that we haven’t seen a development permit yet but the indication is it'll be a four-store building, which I think is sensitive to the neighbourhood,” said coun. Stack.
“It is a neighbourhood in transitions, as we know from earlier zonings we’ve done there. So I think making an effort to sensitively integrate it is a wise move.”
Coun. Stack was referring to a 107-unit, four-storey apartment building that was approved in mid-August.
Coun. Singh said the proposed building was a good fit for the area.
“I’m glad to move this forward. It does meet the OCP objectives, particularly the climate resilience objectives,” said coun. Singh.
“(It’s) located in a busy part of our city, close to transit, close to the Guisachan Village. I think this is what our city needs.”
The rezoning was approved with a unanimous vote of support.
Next steps will see the developer submit their development permit application.
