West Kelowna Council gave initial consideration to a massive apartment building on Tuesday.
During the regular meeting, council gave first reading to a zoning amendment request that would make way for a 401-unit apartment development behind Constable Neil Bruce Middle School.
The apartment complex, located at 2471 Auburn Road, would include five buildings that are up to four storeys.
The surrounding neighbourhood is zoned as low density multiple residential, however, this project would require its own comprehensive development zone.
Currently, there are density and parkland covenants on the hectare property and the rezoning would require council to remove the covenants before adopting the zoning amendments.
Moreover, city planning staff were worried about the traffic impacts on Auburn Road and recommended council ask for more traffic assessments to be done in the area.
An early traffic impact assessment has already noted that the intersection at Byland Road and the Old Okanagan Highway was expected to perform poorly, with and without site-generated traffic.
The report is suggesting a roundabout or signals at the Daimler Drive and Old Okanagan Highway/Byland Road intersection.
The assessment said upgrades to the Highway 97 and Daimler Drive intersection may be desirable, including dual left turns when approaching the highway.
To add onto the issue, the roads in the area fall under multi-jurisdiction with some being the responsibility of the city, the province or Westbank First Nation.
Brent Magnan, director of development approval, told council there needed to be more discussion about the road upgrades and traffic impacts.
“We need to continue to look at this a little bit more closely,” said Magnan.
“Our consultant commented that the Highway 97 and Daimler Drive (upgrades) may not fully relieve that traffic pattern either. So there was a little bit of uncertainty as to how well those improvements would work.”
Magnan said staff and the applicant were only looking for council’s initial consideration so they can continue to examine solutions to the traffic issues.
West Kelowna Council gave first reading to the rezoning, however, they shared similar concerns about the several traffic issues.
"I'm supportive of this development and definitely recognize the need for multi-family development in West Kelowna, especially in an area that has close proximity to a school,” said councillor Stephen Johnston.
“Definitely want to see this and projects like this continue.”
However, councillor Johnston said council needed to dig deeper into potential solutions for the traffic issues.
More information on traffic is expected to be brought forward in the near future.
