New Kelowna apartments will have rents tied to income and ‘deeply subsidized’ rates

The Capri neighbourhood will soon be getting a new apartment building on a lot that has sat vacant for several years.

Earlier this week, city councillors agreed to issue development permits for a six-storey building with nine studios, 15 one-rooms, 20 two-bedrooms and five three-bedrooms.

It will be built at 1230 Brookside Ave., which was rezoned in January.

The project is a partnership between the City of Kelowna, BC Housing and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).

The city is providing the land through a long-term lease, BC Housing is providing funds to support development and to the CMHA, which will operate the building.

The developer told council 30% of the units will be near market rent, 50% will be geared to tenant’s income (30% of their monthly income) and the remaining 20% will be deeply subsidized for low-income individuals and families.

Nineteen parking spaces and 27 bike stalls will be included in the project.

Landscaping will include nine new trees while amenity space will include two common rooms and two outdoor patios as well as a new public linear trail area near Mill Creek.

Planners said this will lead to a new park to the west of this site.

The three metre trail near the creek will require a natural environment development permit to ensure there is a 15-metre riparian setback, which is being met.

In addition, the building will have dedicated space for CMHA services like counselling.

Four variances were requested. That includes:

• Reducing the rear yard setbacks above 16 metres on the west, east and north from the required four metres to 1.67 m, 1.62 m and 2.74 m, respectively.

• Reducing the building’s south stepback from three metres to zero metres

• Reducing the minimum riparian management area and trail width from the required five metres to three metres

City planners said the variances are minimal.

One member of the public voiced concern about the low number of parking spaces and the impact on the creek. Another resident was concerned about the increase of traffic on Brookside Avenue, which she said was too narrow to handle more tenants, visitors and garbage trucks.

A representative for the development company, which is M’akola Development Services, said the parking demand for these types of buildings was much lower.

They pointed to their experience building and operating similar buildings across BC.

As far as impacts to the creek, or potential flooding, the developer said it has engaged with a consultant on hydrogeological reports. They also said there was no underground parking due to the proximity to the creek.

Coun. Cannan asked staff if there was a parking management plan in place of this area due to the large number of units being built and proposed for this area.

Planning staff said they have engaged with parking services staff and have started looking at options to manage parking in the area.

“My main issue is that the city is a partner. We own the land in this project and I believe we have a responsibility to lead by example to show that we can deliver affordable housing while still upholding planning standards,” said coun. Cannan.

Ultimately, the project was moved forward with only coun. Cannan opposed.