(UPDATE: July 20 @ 6 pm) – During Monday’s regular meeting, Penticton City Council sent three housing development proposals to a public hearing in August.
The first application included a zoning and Official Community Plan (OCP) amendment request to allow for a 10-unit duplex development proposed for 770 Argyle St.
Penticton City Council agreed to give first reading to the amendments and forwarded this application to the Aug. 16, 2022 public hearing.
The OCP amendment will change the future land use to ground oriented residential and the zoning would change the property from duplex housing to low density multiple housing.
Eighty people filled out feedback forms during this public engagement period this spring and slightly more than half were concerned about increased density, loss of historic character in the neighbourhood, design of the building and wildlife impacts.
Those “in favour with conditions” thought it was a good use of the land but existing traffic and parking challenges needed to be addressed.
The developers changed the form and character of the building and added two additional parking spaces which now works out to two spots per unit.
“I’m really impressed that the developers heard those comments from the community members who chose to participate,” noted councilor Judy Sentes.
“And they’ve responded in what I think is a good way.”
Penticton Indian Band also submitted a letter that requested that applicants complete a cultural heritage resource assessment to determine the nature and extent of any potential impacts.
City staff said the applicant was now in the process of completing this assessment.
Two duplexes proposed for 747 and 755 Revelstoke Avenue were also forwarded the to the Aug. 16 public hearing
The developer has proposed one two-storey, back-to-back duplex on each property which would require the property to be rezoned from small lot residential to duplex housing.
City council gave first reading to the zoning bylaw. Once that is formally adopted, the development permit will be issued.
The final application given initial consideration by city council was a four unit, three-storey townhouse proposed for 561 Jermyn Ave.
City council agreed to give first reading to the zoning bylaw amendment request which will see the property become low density multiple housing.
The developer is also requesting a development variance to reduce the exterior side yard from 4.5 metres to 1.8 metres.
The zoning amendment has also been forwarded to the Aug. 16 public hearing.
Once that amendment is formally adopted, city council will consider the development variance permit. Once that is approved, the developer will be granted their development permit.
To learn about the city’s process for public hearings and how you can participate, click here.
(Original Story: July 16 @ 2:30 pm) – On Tuesday, Penticton City Council will be considering a few housing development applications.
The regular meeting is scheduled for July 19 at 1 pm.
The first application that will be considered is a OCP and zoning bylaw amendment to make way for five duplex buildings at 770 Argyle St.
City staff are requesting that city council consider whether additional consultation is necessary with the RDOS, local First Nations, the school district and provincial or federal government agencies.
A public engagement period was already hosted between April 7, 2022 and May 15, 2022.
It is recommended that this application be forwarded to the Aug. 16 public hearing.
According to staff’s report, the OCP amendment would change the future land use to ground oriented residential and the zoning would change the property from duplex housing to low density multiple housing.
Currently, there is an older single family home on the property. The home was built in the 1930s but is not on the city's heritage Registry.
Following feedback from the engagement process, the developer resubmitted design plans that they believe will address concerns of the buildings not fitting well into the neighbourhood.
Another proposal to be considered will be a zoning amendment for 747 and 755 Revelstoke Ave.
The design plan is to construct one two-storey, back-to-back duplex on each property, which will require the property to be zoned from small lot residential to duplex housing.
The properties contain a single family home, however, the surrounding area has a mix of single fairy homes, duplexes and rowhouses.
City staff say this is an appropriate spot for this type of build because it is close to Okanagan College, Kings Park, the South Okanagan Events Center, Okanagan Lake, the Community Centre and Queen’s Park Elementary
City staff are recommending this also be forwarded to the Aug. 16 public hearing as well.
The final application is for a zoning amendment and development variance application for a proposed four unit, three-storey townhouse at 561 Jermyn Ave.
In order to proceed with this development, the property needs to be rezoned from small lot residential to low density multiple housing.
As a result, the applicant is requesting a variance to reduce the exterior side yard from 4.5 meters to 1.8 metres.
“The property’s proximity to the variety of uses make it an ideal location for increased density,” reads planning staff’s report.
They add that the site is close to Penticton Secondary School, KVR Middle School, downtown and grocery stores.
City staff also recommend that this application be forwarded to the Aug. 16 public hearing.
