Dozens of West Kelowna residents packed council chamber on Monday to show opposition against a proposed 401-unit apartment project.
Surrey-based Landvision Group is looking to build five, four-storey apartment buildings at 2741 Auburn Road, a vacant 12.4 hectare (ha) lot across from Constable Neil Bruce Middle School.
During the two and a half hour public hearing, several residents told council their concerns about traffic congestion, safety concerns, environmental impacts if the proposed project was approved.
The city received over 20 individual submissions plus a petition with over 271 signatures from residents living at the Terravita Condos next to the property and in the surrounding areas.
“We are aware that this site is zoned for R3, what we're asking for is that the site not be rezoned to CD10. Under the covenant, you’ve already stretched the allowable density while choosing not to extend the Auburn Road to Shannon Lake extension,” said West Kelowna resident Donalda Hunt.
“We’re not against development and we’re aware that we have a housing crisis, however, we also don’t believe that it should be development at all costs. You still need to be respective of the quality of life and safety for existing and new residents.”
In 2007, the property was rezoned to accommodate a 220-unit development in the form of three apartment buildings and a covenant was registered to limit the units to 220 and another was required for the donation of 7.6 ha portion of the site be donated to the city for parkland.
Those two covenants are still registered on the property.
Other residents spoke to the existing traffic congestion near the middle school and a city traffic report found that intersections in the area are near failing.
“Highway 97 is identified to be near capacity by Opening Day (2024) and is expected to exceed capacity by 2034,” the report says.
“Without capacity improvements along the Highway 97 corridor, poor intersection performance at the Highway 97/Daimler Drive intersection is expected.”
For the project to move forward, the report says that future improvement options, including roundabouts or signalization or dual left turn lanes at Daimler Drive, may be needed in conjunction with improvements to the Highway 97/Daimler Drive intersection.
“We certainly recognize that it’s a difficult situation now and maybe by coming forward with some assistance financially, it might get solved sooner rather than later,” said Rachel Sansom, a consultant speaking on behalf of Lavington.
The staff report which said the costs for transportation improvements are estimated at $1.7 million and would be cost shared with the city covering 45% and the developer covering 55%.
Some members of the public expressed concern about the city covering half the costs, suggesting that the developer should cover the costs.
Others were concerned about blasting during road improvements and construction of the condo building itself.
Sandom said that blasting was “alarming” but the work would comply with the city’s bylaws and provincial requirements.
As for some environmental concerns, Sansom added that the developer knew the environmental assessment was preliminary in nature and they are committed to carrying out more studies at the appropriate time of year.
Sansom acknowledged the concerns raised by members of the public and noted that the developer was willing and committed to working through these concerns with city staff to find solutions.
No formal decision was made by city council during the public hearing and city staff will be bringing forward a new report at a future meeting.
