The need for affordable housing in 琉璃神社 won out over neighbourhood concerns at a public hearing (Apr. 18) for a townhouse project planned for the North End.
The developer wants to build nine units at 979 and 983 Coronation Avenue but asked for a height variance, from two storeys to three, for its rezoning application. Several area residents spoke against the project.
鈥淭he current zoning checks all the boxes,鈥� said one neighbour. 鈥淭here is already an established pattern of development. It鈥檚 like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.鈥�
Much of the concern was over the height variance as well as the closeness of the townhouses to the street.
鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 fit the existing neighbourhood,鈥� said another resident. 鈥淚 can see it working in 15 years, but right now it鈥檚 ginormous in massing and in height.鈥�
Speaking on behalf of the applicant Brian Quiring with MQN Architects in Vernon said the development adheres to smart growth principles.
鈥淚t limits urban sprawl鈥t鈥檚 upgrading the existing housing stock鈥t provides alternative housing type, ground-oriented units,鈥� he added. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 agree that it isn鈥檛 the right fit.鈥�
Several councillors sided with residents in opposing the project.
READ MORE: 琉璃神社 councillor says townhouse project 鈥榦verkill鈥� for neighbourhood
Coun. Rick Webber noted that when the development first came to council he had said that it looked like a tight fit for the neighbourhood.
鈥淚 just have the feeling that it鈥檚 the right project in the wrong spot.鈥�
Coun. Mohini Singh said she was on the fence but pointed out 琉璃神社 needs housing.
鈥淚鈥檓 sorry but I鈥檓 going to support this for the sake of just that need to address the housing crisis we are facing in our city.鈥�
Coun. Luke Stack added that he also wrestled with the project.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a tough one because this is the first one we鈥檝e seen in this neighbourhood and we want to get it right.鈥�
Mayor Tom Dyas, who ended up casting the deciding vote on the matter, also said the city needs affordable housing.
鈥淲hat鈥檚 happening to our community is that it鈥檚 being mandated on us that we look at having development.鈥�
Dyas also asked the applicant to pay attention to design features in its project that provide privacy for area neighbours.
鈥淚t is just a request but when it comes back it will be noted for yourself and staff that those particular things will be looked at during the building permit stage.鈥�
Council voted 5-4 to give second and third readings to rezone the property, with councillors Webber, Gord Lovegrove, Charlie Hodge, and Ron Cannan opposed.
gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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