The project still has a chance, but Kelowna councillors were mostly underwhelmed with a new car wash proposed for the corner of Highway 33 and Dougall Road N.
Council voted unanimously to defer the application, calling on the applicant to come back with a more elaborate plan for a parcel of land considered to be in the heart of Rutland’s urban centre.
According to plans submitted to the city, the proposed development would sit in the middle of the corner lot beside the Centrax gas station and includes a car wash on the ground floor with a two-bedroom apartment above.
While the application included a letter of intent from developers that outlined plans for a second commericial building on the lot, councillors struggled to believe a car wash was the right fit for the area.
"We only get one chance to develop this site, so you think what is the highest and best use," said Coun. Gail Given.
"I understand they have future plans, but I’m not able to evaluate that and I can only evaluate what's included in this application."
Coun. Luke Stack questioned the project's landscaping estimate, arguing that just over $12,000 didn't seem enough to make a "vital corner lot" look as it should.
However, despite labeling the project as "simply not good enough for Rutland, Coun. Mohini Singh requested the application be deferred to provide the applicant a chance to come back with something better fitting for the area.
Mayor Colin Basran acknowledged that he too struggled with the idea of placing a car wash in the heart of an urban centre designed to be pedestrian friendly.
Developers will now have the opportunity to redesign the project before returning to city hall at a later date.
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