Wetland protection a rezoning condition for Lakeshore Road mixed-use building

A building which was formerly home to Kelowna radio stations has been rezoned to allow for a mixed-use building.

Earlier this week, city council agreed to give initial approval to an application that will see 3805 Lakeshore Drive, which is near Hotel Eldorado and Playa Del Sol Resort., changed to the Village Centre zone.

The developer, Jim Pattison Developments, wants to build a six-storey building with 104 residential units with four commercial units fronting onto Lakeshore Road.

Staff said the Village Centre was part of the OCP’s future land use for this area.

If the rezoning and text amendment moves through two more readings and final adoption, a natural development permit would be required, staff said.

That is due to a natural wetland on the south side of the property, which will need to be protected by a no build covenant. Staff said the applicant is aware and that there is a “dewatering” plan in place to ensure the wetland is protected during construction.

“This is done in conjunction with a biologist, a geotechnical consultant and our infrastructure and environment staff,” staff explained.

Although this is only the zoning stage, council was told there would be 109 parking stalls, 20 new trees as well as amenity spaces for tenants, which will be “accomplished” the further the city gets through the development permit.

Kelowna councillors were told the site-specific text amendment is to allow for a car-share program to be located within an enclosed parkade and eligible for a parking reduction.

According to the staff report, the applicant could not secure an agreement with local car share provider Modo due to the building’s location so the developer is proposing to start their own car share program with five stalls that would be available to the general public but stored at 3805 Lakeshore Rd.

Coun. Gord Lovegrove what would happen to some of the mature trees on site.

Staff said a large, mature tree on the western side of the property would likely have to come down due to its root network which, if left, would make the property undevelopable. However, staff said another large tree on the south, closest to the wetlands, would be maintained.

Staff said the city’s tree replacement project would compensate with several more smaller trees.

Coun. Ron Cannan asked staff if the residential units would be rentals or market, but staff said they were not sure what direction the developer was going at this time.

He also wondered if the developer already had an existing car share program, however, staff did not have that information on hand.

Coun. Canaan said he wanted to ensure street parking didn’t become an issue for this proposal, but staff said that would be discussed at the development permit stage.

Ultimately, council gave initial consideration to the rezoning and text amendment.

Final adoption of the rezoning will depend on several conditions, including protection of the wetlands.