The wheels are slowly beginning to turn on a proposed Campbell Road development in West Kelowna.
West Kelowna council gave first reading to an Official Community Plan amendment application for the western portion of 2211 Campbell Road Tuesday, Feb. 11. The application is to change the designation from agricultural to medium density multiple family.
The project, known as Blackmun Bay Village, is proposing to develop multiple family apartments and town homes, a restaurant, a 268-slip commercial marina and a public beach. The project involves an OCP and zoning amendment for the 5.9-hectare property.
Initially the concept plan proposed three 14-storey high rise towers; however, the applicant has since reduced the scale of the proposal to a medium density multiple family OCP designation.
The subject property is divided by Campbell Road. The Blackmun Bay Village concept plan shows residential towers and garden apartments and town homes on the property west of Campbell Road. The illustration shows the property to the east having a public beach, natural areas, a restaurant and marina centre and a 268-slip marina.
In February 2013, a 1.7-hectare portion of the land, west of Campbell Road, was excluded from the Agricultural Land Reserve. The eastern portion of the parcel is still located within the ALR.
Although council gave first reading to the OCP bylaw amendment regarding the western portion of land, several councillors indicated concern regarding the area to the east of Campbell Road, where an existing orchard currently operates.
“Eighty per cent of the land on that side of the road, by the ALC’s own comments, is class one land,” said Coun. Rick de Jong.
“It’s some of the best land we’ve got in the province sitting right there.
“My concerns would be with whatever took place on that east side of the road, the impacts it would have on the agricultural functionality of that orchard.”
De Jong admitted the marina and public beach were tempting amenities being offered by the development.
Coun. Gord Milsom said initial concepts associated with the project seem “very appealing.”
“I believe that such an investment would be good for our community,” said Milsom.
Next steps in the process include: Drafting of a comprehensive development zone, referrals to other government agencies and stakeholders, obtaining approvals from the Agricultural Land Commission, preparation and submission of technical studies, including traffic and servicing analysis, environmental impact assessments and geotechnical studies.
Once these steps have been completed, the application will proceed to council for first and second reading of the zoning bylaw amendment, and second reading of the OCP amendment.
wpaterson@kelownacapnews.com
Twitter: @PatersonWade
