The comprehensive development plan for downtown Kelowna was endorsed by a 6-3 vote of city council on Monday.
Supporters described the project as “absolutely sensational” and as “close to perfect as you can get,” saying it would bring about the long-awaited revitalization of the Lawrence-Leon corridor.
“It‘s going to be a fun, beautiful place,” Coun. Norm Letnick said.
“I think the plan is exactly what the community needs,” said Coun. Andre Blanleil.
Letnick and Blanleil joined Councillors Colin Day, Barrie Clark, Brian Given and Carol Gran in voting to give third reading to the bylaw that would create the CD zone for the area bounded by Harvey, Abbott, Queensway and Water.
The plan calls for 13 highrises, some up to 27 storeys, providing for 2,000 new homes, as well as new commercial and office space, along with public amenities, such as new pedestrian-only plaza around the Sails and a public pier.
Mayor Sharon Shepherd and Councillors Michele Rule and Robert Hobson voted against third reading. Their objections included what they said was the lack of firm protection for old buildings on Bernard and the location of a 19-storey hotel next to Kerry Park.
“I‘m a little bit disappointed. I don‘t think we‘ve hit on the perfect plan yet,” Shepherd said.
The mayor‘s opposition surprised some of her council colleagues, who noted that council had voted unanimously several times previously in support of the plan‘s development.
“I‘m stunned by some of the things you said,” Coun. Carol Gran told Shepherd. “I‘ve never heard you say those things before.”
Council cannot give fourth and final reading to the CD zone until the city hears from the Ministry of Transportation regarding the plan‘s impacts on Harvey Avenue. It‘s not known when that input will be received.
In her praise for the project, Gran said it would give a “world class” feeling to downtown Kelowna.
“I would not change one thing in the plan, because I think it‘s absolutely sensational,” she said.
Coun. Colin Day said the plan had been modified considerably based on public input, such as a slight downsizing of the towers.
“It‘s as close to perfect as you can get,” he said. “I don‘t know what else you could do to make it better.” Top of Page
