A major student housing development proposed for near the UBC Okanagan (UBCO) campus has been submitted to city hall.

The Watermark Group project consists of approximately 451 units over three buildings. Building 1, fronting Academy Way, is proposed to be five storeys in height and buildings 2 and 3 would be four storeys. 

It also includes 11,500 square feet of commercial space and 78,500 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor amenity space. 

鈥淚t is understood that students living in off campus student-oriented housing near to the university achieve better results in reaching their overall academic goals due to the proximity of resources and supports,鈥� documents submitted to the city read. 

The application requests a height variance to allow the five-storey building as a portion of the roof parapet extends beyond the permitted 18 metre height.

It also asks for a parking stall reduction from 490 to 208 stalls.

鈥淭he parking variance is also being proposed due to the nature and actual demand of purpose-built student rental housing projects that the City of 琉璃神社鈥檚 zoning bylaw does not accommodate,鈥� documents state. 

The proposal has yet to be reviewed by city council.