Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 soon-to-be-tallest building will be three storeys shorter than originally planned.
Council has approved development permits for the UBC Okanagan downtown campus tower at 43 storeys. The building, proposed for 550 Doyle Avenue, first came to council at 46-storeys.
91裸聊视频淲hile this represents a departure from the 2040 Official Community Plan (OCP) downtown heights map, which suggests a height of 26-storeys, the OCP also has policy that supports the increased height,91裸聊视频� said Trisa Atwood, city planner. 91裸聊视频淧olicy 4.4.3 states that if a proposal contains significant benefit to Kelowna citizens, it should be considered for additional height which does apply in this case.91裸聊视频�
Atwood noted those benefits include rental housing, a post-secondary institution in a socially connected urban centre, and outstanding architectural design. Councillor Luke Stack said the project is a substantial improvement and a gain for downtown.
91裸聊视频淚 also want to thank the applicant for reducing it a few storeys and listening to council91裸聊视频檚 concerns and the public91裸聊视频檚 concerns.91裸聊视频�
The building will house academic space on levels one through eight, and 473 rental apartments on levels 12 through 43.
91裸聊视频淚t meets a number of our objectives, 473 rental units is astounding,91裸聊视频� said councillor Loyal Wooldridge. 91裸聊视频漀ormally we approve about 955 annually, so that91裸聊视频檚 basically half in one afternoon.
Atwood told council that currently there is a 1,300-person waiting list for student housing at UBCO91裸聊视频檚 main campus. The downtown tower will house nursing and social work programs with 500 students eligible for housing. The height of the building was still a concern for some on council.
91裸聊视频淏ut I91裸聊视频檓 impressed with the project overall, said Coun. Mohini Singh. 91裸聊视频淚 think it91裸聊视频檚 a coup for us to get a world-class university right in our downtown core.91裸聊视频�
Although he called it a 91裸聊视频済ame-changer91裸聊视频� to have UBCO downtown, Coun. Charlie Hodge was the lone vote against the development.
91裸聊视频淚 still can91裸聊视频檛 get past the height, I think it91裸聊视频檚 overkill,91裸聊视频� added Hodge. 91裸聊视频淚 also think it creates competition for other potential student housing facilities in the downtown. I think the focus should be education first and housing second when it comes to this particular project.91裸聊视频�
Hodge also said he felt the development was contrary to the OCP.
91裸聊视频淚 have some concerns about the safety, and good luck with the parking I hope that works.91裸聊视频�
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gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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