VIDEO: Opposition to McCurdy Road supportive housing project nets compromise

After weeks of loud protest, changes have been announced on how a planned supportive housing project should be operated in Kelowna.

Mayor Colin Basran told a special meeting of Council that he's been able to reach some compromise after discussions with the Minister responsible, Selina Robinson.

Residents of the project will have to commit to not using illicit drugs on site.

The changes require that all residents of the facility will make a commitment to ongoing treatment and they have to commit to not using illegal drugs. The Mayor said the assurance is that the facility will be for people further along the path to recovery.

"It's a compromise," said Councillor Ryan Donn. "I think the Minister through the Mayor advocating heard that a compromise was needed and she made it and I think the public should feel heard."

If Audra Boudreau, who has helped gather thousands of signatures in opposition, is at all pleased about the developments, she wasn't showing it after today's meeting. "I'm not. No," she said.

"They've shown time and again, with Heath House for sure, that they are incapable of managing it effectively."

Chris Bocskei was also disappointed. "Yes drugs are going to be illegal," he granted. "But we're concerned that there's going to be illegal drug use outside of the facility."

"I think that the Mayor was really vigilant," conceded area resident Ward about the Mayor going to the Minister for changes, but he remains very much opposed. "I don't think that's good enough," he said.

A motion by Councillor Charlie Hodge for reconsideration of the 2017 zoning of the project was defeated, allowing the project to go ahead.

But Boudreau vows to continue to gather signatures in opposition which she hopes will be presented by MLA Norm Letnick to the BC Legislature.