A public hearing on a major housing development in West Kelowna had a rough start on Tuesday (Feb. 25) night.
The audience initially struggled to hear the presentation about 117 townhouses and duplex units planned for 2971 Gorman Road. City staff members and the project applicant91裸聊视频檚 representative were asked to speak up several times by Mayor Gord Milsom.
Council took questions from residents in attendance and over the phone, including one man who called in although he was at the hearing91裸聊视频攃ausing some confusion.
91裸聊视频淵ou91裸聊视频檙e the caller?91裸聊视频� Milsom asked, before instructing the man to come to the microphone. The man continued speaking from the back of the council chambers until the audience applauded and encouraged him to step forward.
91裸聊视频淭here is no need for clapping,91裸聊视频� Milsom said. 91裸聊视频淲e want to make sure everyone is comfortable addressing council.91裸聊视频�
Citing a lack of infrastructure in the area, Glenrosa resident Bill Vassar said the development was nonsense.
91裸聊视频淥ur water sucks out here, we have no sidewalks, we pay, pay, pay, pay taxes91裸聊视频攆or what? And this clown comes in to do this big build? No, no, I91裸聊视频檓 not going for it. And we91裸聊视频檙e not going for it.91裸聊视频�
Gilles Rouleau went door-to-door, speaking with his neighbours and gathering signatures on a petition opposing the project.
91裸聊视频淚f this development moves forward, we fear our community will lose its peaceful, rural feel,91裸聊视频� he said.
Several speakers voiced concerns about the lack of a secondary route in case of emergencies such as a wildfire, additional pressure on the storm and sanitary sewers and the power grid, a lack of amenities, and insufficient public transit.
91裸聊视频淚f you downsize, I think it will be a lot more acceptable than what you91裸聊视频檙e considering now,91裸聊视频� said resident Rick Scofield, who told council that taxpayers have had enough. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e not getting our money91裸聊视频檚 worth. The salaries that are being paid for 40,000 people are insane91裸聊视频攜ou91裸聊视频檙e not worth it.91裸聊视频�
Two people spoke in favour of the project.
91裸聊视频淒evelopers have been stonewalled for far too long, I think. We91裸聊视频檝e got to open it up,91裸聊视频� said James McGill.
Resident Bobby Jones said the development would support economic and job growth, improve infrastructure, and provide new amenities. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 also gonna strengthen our community.91裸聊视频�
Travis Tournier, the development manager for the project, told the hearing that the project proposes homes starting under $600,000.
91裸聊视频淲e hope that the multi-million-dollar storm sewer upgrade and the acceleration of the Glenrosa corridor study will help alleviate two of council91裸聊视频檚 biggest concerns and bring support to this application, ultimately providing more affordable homes to West Kelowna.91裸聊视频�
A staff report indicated that other developments in Glenrosa, at various stages of planning, could add up to 1,400 units to the neighbourhood over the next several years.
Council voted to deny property rezoning to allow the project to move forward, with Councillor Jason Friesen and Mayor Milsom opposed.
91裸聊视频淭hroughout our community, we just don91裸聊视频檛 have enough townhouses and duplexes,91裸聊视频� Milsom said. 91裸聊视频淭hey could provide more affordable housing for lower-income families and seniors. There91裸聊视频檚 a need there.91裸聊视频�
The developer can apply for rezoning again in six months.
