Kelowna city staff will begin drafting changes to heritage area housing guidelines after council heard strong feedback at a recent public hearing, much of it focused on concerns over three-storey homes, design rules, and how much authority staff should have in approving changes.
The issue came back to council on July 21 following a June 17 public hearing. While no new public input was allowed, planning staff provided a full summary of the key concerns and how they plan to address them.
香蕉视频直播淪taff will start crafting amendments to the bylaw,香蕉视频直播� said Robert Miles, the city香蕉视频直播檚 long-range planning department manager. 香蕉视频直播淭his approach would involve council considering more heritage alteration permits and variances in the conservation area, and with the greater role for public input.香蕉视频直播�
One of the most concerning issues for area residents was the allowance of three-storey homes. While permitted under new provincial rules (Bill 44), some councillors said residents are still upset.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檝e had real serious opposition to three-storey,香蕉视频直播� Coun. Maxine DeHart said. 香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 still not convinced about the three stories, and I know that a lot of us around the table have got that feedback. So I think you should take that very seriously.香蕉视频直播�
Miles clarified that under the new RU1 zoning, which applies to much of the Heritage Conservation Area, three-storey buildings are allowed, but the top floor is limited to 70 per cent of the building香蕉视频直播檚 footprint and is encouraged to be set back from the street.
香蕉视频直播淭his allows for the lower-scale character of the homes to be the focus that someone sees the most from the street,香蕉视频直播� Miles said. 香蕉视频直播淲hile allowing for creative options to accommodate new homes in the back.香蕉视频直播�
Concerns were also raised about heritage alteration permits and the authority city staff have to approve them.
Given the public push back, staff now recommend narrowing that authority.
香蕉视频直播淚f a variance to height is proposed香蕉视频直播� delegated authority is not available and council would consider the application,香蕉视频直播� Miles said.
Coun. Ron Cannan called on Mayor Tom Days to take the issue to the new provincial housing minister.
香蕉视频直播淲e want to put density in an area where we believe it香蕉视频直播檚 in the best interest of our city, not somebody's bureaucrat in Victoria,香蕉视频直播� he said.
Cannan has pushed to have Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 Heritage Conservation Area exempted from provincial housing legislation.
Dyas noted that the city continues to advocate to the province.
香蕉视频直播榃e carry that message forward to our residents, and we've heard them,香蕉视频直播� he added. 香蕉视频直播淭here's a shopping list of all of them that we continually run through, so appreciate your comments.香蕉视频直播�
Staff will bring back bylaw amendments for further consideration by council.
