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91ƵNot a good deal for citizens:91Ƶ Kelowna council shuts door on 91Ƶaffordable91Ƶ housing for Doyle Ave. tower

Developer had set aside 26 studio units at $2,050/month
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Conceptual rendering of 25-storey tower to be built at 350 Doyle Avenue. (Zeidler Architecture) Conceptual rendering of 25-storey tower to be built at 350 Doyle Avenue. (Zeidler Architecture)

The developer of a 25-storey high-rise being built on the old RCMP detachment site will need to come up with cheaper rent for some apartments in the building.

At its Nov. 21 meeting, council was to sign a housing agreement for the property at 350 Doyle Avenue, setting 10 per cent of the 259 units (26 studio apartments) at an 91Ƶattainable rental rate.91Ƶ

READ MORE: Kelowna council approves 25-storey Doyle Avenue tower amid controversy

The developer came up with a monthly amount of $2,050 based on a median, annual income of $82,000. Neither dollar figure sat well with council.

91ƵI have a hard time squaring that when classifieds show studios at $1,300 a month,91Ƶ said Coun. Luke Stack.

He also took issue that the studio units would only be advertised for one week at the affordable rate, and then rented out at the market rate.

Coun. Mohini Singh, who originally voted against the project for other reasons, noted the affordable housing aspect is what gained the support of council in the first place.

91ƵThis to me is a little bit disingenuous,91Ƶ she said. 91ƵIt91Ƶs not affordable or attainable. This is not a good deal for our citizens.91Ƶ

At a public hearing in July, several students spoke in favour of the project. However, at the Nov. 21 meeting, more than one councillor asked whether those students understood the rents would be so expensive. Several comments were also made that the tower is being built on city-owned property.

91ƵIt does not fit in the boundaries of what we are trying to accomplish,91Ƶ said Mayor Tom Dyas. 91ƵWe need to lead the way

with a development that is on city property.91Ƶ

Coun. Maxine DeHart took it a step further.

91ƵI91Ƶm actually insulted by this report,91Ƶ she said. 91ƵI struggled with this application from the beginning, but I was supportive of it because of the affordable housing. I91Ƶm shocked to see it now.91Ƶ

Council voted unanimously not to sign the agreement, which now goes back to the developer for reconsideration.

91ƵA word to the applicant, what council said should give the applicant good direction as to what we are looking for,91Ƶ added Dyas.

READ MORE: RCMP serious crimes investigating after toddler found dead inside Kelowna home



gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com

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About the Author: Gary Barnes

Journalist and broadcaster for three decades.
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