A rezoning application for a higher density townhouse project on Okanagan Centre Road is recommended for adoption at next Tuesday’s council meeting.
Following a contentious public hearing on the project earlier this month, district planner Blessy Zachariah has recommended council approve the zoning amendment.
The rezoning would change the property, at 11565 Okanagan Centre Road facing the intersection with Davidson Road, from Single Family Housing to Low Density Row Housing designation to allow for a conceptual 20-unit townhouse development.
The public hearing saw neighbouring residents voice their opposition to seeing a rural residential area be changed with a higher density development.
They argued water quality and school services are already taxed, calling the site a bad location to fulfill an acknowledged need for more affordable housing in Lake Country.
Eric Huber, agent for the $8 million project proponent, said the development will be both visually appealing and a source of affordable housing, while the traffic impact assessment was below a statistical impact level based on provincial traffic volume management standards.
The issue generated largely negative reviews on the Lake Country Calendar Facebook page.
“The property behind Husky just recently sold. That is a much better place for some townhouses, houses, apartments, all great for a new young affordable neighbourhood,” said Denise Warren.
“Going to see more and more of this because of greed. There are more than enough homes to meet the needs of people across the country, but the market insanity is what drives foolishness (high prices)—and so then you have to build more “affordable” (hardly) homes, instead of forcing the market to stop their stupidity by standing up and lowering the prices of the already far-too-high-priced homes,” said Cheri Bauer.
“Keep it up…Place is going to look like one of the awful city cores (and all the issues that come with that). But, hey…at least Kelowna and Lake Country developers (and those who greenlight development) are getting their big city dreams come true (just look how they like to compare Lake Country to big cities)…pretty grotesque, and all for the love of money.”
Lynne Winfield echoed her sentiment about the need to protect the rural character of Lake Country. “Leave Lake Country rural. That’s what we all love about the area,” Winfield said.
