The City of Kelowna’s November public hearing has seven items on the agenda, making it one of the busier Tuesday meetings in the past few months.
On Nov. 5, Kelowna city councillors will consider an OCP amendment to update greenhouse gases emission reduction targets, two liquor licence applications and four development variance permits for some major housing projects.
Below is a breakdown of each item on the agenda.
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OCP amendment for greenhouse gas emissions, tree canopy targets
Kelowna council gave this OCP amendment first reading on Oct. 21. The goal is to make sure the targets are consistent with the recently adopted Climate Resilient Kelowna Strategy and Sustainable Urban Forest Strategy.
Structural change for Kelowna Yacht Club’s liquor area
The Kelowna Yacht Club is looking to make their COVID-era temporary patio a permanent fixture. A staff report says the structural change is “minor” and no complaints have been received since the patio was put in place. There will be no change to capacity.
The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch will have the final say on this application.
Liquor primary licence for Rutland seniors society building
Staff are recommending support for an application from Army, Navy, and Airforce Veterans Association #376 for a liquor primary license at 150 Gray Rd. The capacity would be 42 people and would give veterans a place to gather, play games, socialize and enjoy a drink.
The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch will have the final say on this application.
Permits for a new hotel at Kelowna International Airport
Staff will be recommending support for a development permit (DP), which was submitted in January. They are also recommending support for a development variance permit (DVP) to increase the height to six storeys and to increase sign sizes.
The Sutton Place hotel would have 245 suites, lobby, a restaurant, banquet space and 195 parking stalls.
Application for large mixed-use development on Underhill Street
Staff are recommending support for a six-storey mixed-use project that would include commercial space and 177 residential units. Units would range from studios to three-bedrooms.
The application submitted in August said there would be 38 parking stalls at grade and 159 in an underground parkade. The DVP is to reduce the minimum building setback from all three roads (Baron Road, Dilworth Drive and Underhill Street).
Proposal for nearly 70 units on Cross Road
In July, Kelowna councillors supported a rezoning application that made 1951 Cross Rd. suitable for a rental housing project. During the November public hearing, they will be asked to issue a DP for the six-storey project, which will have 68 units geared towards families, seniors and people living with disabilities.
The DVP will be to vary the projection of two balconies, reduce the number of off-street parking spots from 66 to 51 and reduce the minimum upper floor setback for a section of the building that faces Glenmore Road.
Permits for 33-storey tower in downtown Kelowna
The last item on the public hearing agenda is an application for a 33-storey building at the corner of Water Street and Lawrence Avenue.
An application was submitted for this project in April 2023. There would be 173 condo units and 89 long-term rental units with over 585 square metres of commercial space.
Parking would include 266 parking stalls and 204 long-term bicycle stalls.
The variances include reducing parking (which can be done with the construction of rental units), reducing the minimum distance between mounted bicycle racks, increasing the floor plate for level six-12 and varying balcony sizes on the north side of the building.
