Large rental housing project approved for BC Tree Fruit site

Much needed rental housing is likely on the way to Kelowna's North End.

Vancouver based development group PC Urban's proposal to build two large rental housing projects was approved by city council today.

The two mixed-used buildings would provide 148 rental residential units at the old BC Tree Fruit site on the corner of Richter and Clement. The development proposal also entails 16, 541 square feet of commercial retail space and 231 parking spaces.

The Official Community Plan will have to be amended for the project as the residential project is proposed on designated industrial land.

Although city staff recommended council move forward with the amendment, staff did express concerns about residential units in a designated industrial area.

City staff made it clear that residential land uses are only acceptable in the south-west corner of the subject property and that no further encroachment on North End industrial should be expected.

"This could increase adjacent industrial land prices leading to more unaffordable industrial land and provide uncertainty of existing and future industrial businesses," read city staff's report.

Staff also provided a list of common bylaw complaints in the industrial North End along Richter Street, Baillie Avenue, Vaughn Avenue, and Gaston Avenue.

• Vehicles and pallets placed in the laneway that need to be removed.
• Storing pallets in alley
• Commercial vehicles blocking vehicles for long periods of time.
• Semi trucks blocking roads.
• Garbage bin leaking onto the back lane and the adjoining property.
• Transport trucks parking on street for days on end.
• Junk, odours and toxic mold from waste.
• Beer (from brewery) is being dumped into a garbage bin (odour).

The site is boarded by BC Tree Fruits, Sun-Rype and Sandhill Wines to the north, vacant industrial zoned lot to the east, single family residential to the south and the new Kelowna RCMP detachment to the west.

"This is an important aspect of our community, it's a key location, so I'm really looking for “wow” factor," said Councillor Mohini Singh. "Throwing up buildings with trees and a coffee shop just doesn’t cut it, we're looking for something spectacular."

Mayor Colin Basran comment that he believes the residential rental project could be a great addition he does share staff's concerns about a residential project on industrial land.

According to the report, The City has 2,937 rental units either recently occupied, under-construction, approved, or in the approval process, including this proposed development.

The 149 proposed units represent an estimated 2.8% increase to the supply of rental housing in the city.