City of Penticton preparing for rezoning that could see 1,500 units built

The City of Penticton is preparing for the next step in major development that could see up to 1,500 residential units built across from the hospital.

The development would include a mix of office and other commercial uses, the city says in a release.

Next steps will see council give three readings to the zoning bylaw to allow for the high-density, mixed-use development.

Blake Laven, the City’s director of development services, says this would result in a large increase of housing stock in a “strategic area” of the city, which would support the hospital and industrial employers.

“Staff have worked collaboratively with the developer to ensure there is the proper mix of uses, and that the development addresses impacts through select off-site requirements,” says Laven, in the release.

“This project will have impacts on the neighbourhood so we’re working together to ensure the infrastructure is in place to support the changes that will come.”

City council supported Official Community Plan amendments for this project in October.

City staff are recommending a series of improvements to be carried out during the development.

That includes full design and construction of Government Street, between Industrial Avenue and Carmi Avenue, including but not limited to curb, gutter, all ages and abilities level active transportation lanes, transit stop and sidewalks.

Those improvements would also be seen on Page Avenue.

Active transportation lanes would be installed along Government Street from Carmi to Duncan avenue.

The existing multi-use path along Ellis Creek would be upgraded and crosswalk and sidewalks would be built on Carmi Avenue between Halifax Street to Dartmouth Street.

Upgrades to the existing multi-use path along the north side of the site, from Government Street to Dartmouth Road, are also being recommended. That would include the installation of a new pedestrian/bike connection up to the new crosswalk on Carmi Avenue, between Halifax Street and Carmi Drive.

“If Council gives the go-ahead, then we would work to enter legal agreements with the developer on the noted projects,” says Laven.

“After those agreements are signed, then it would come back for final approval of the zoning changes.”

To read the full report, click here.