A controversial tower development proposed for downtown Kelowna, which is entangled in a lawsuit, has been stalled again.

Council voted 7-2 at a public hearing Tuesday (May 13) to deny development permits for a 25-storey building on the site of the former RCMP detachment. It was the second public hearing for the project on city-owned property.

The decision came after several impassioned pleas from residents to maintain 香蕉视频直播渃ivic values香蕉视频直播� and further the city香蕉视频直播檚 cultural scene at the site.

香蕉视频直播淭his site sits on the heart of the cultural district,香蕉视频直播� Ellis Street resident Les Bellamy told council. 香蕉视频直播淎 place designed to foster creativity, community and civic life香蕉视频直播攏ot towers.香蕉视频直播�

The proposed development at 350 Doyle Avenue has been a focal point of community debate, legal challenges, and shifting city policies since its inception.

Appelt Properties and Wexford Developments have proposed a building that includes 259 rental units, ground-level commercial spaces, and an extension of the city's Art Walk. The design features a single tower atop a five-storey podium with tiered setbacks to minimize street-level impact. 

香蕉视频直播淚 want council to think about the future of our cultural district and the best use of that property,香蕉视频直播� implored Myles Bruckal, president of Citizens for a New Performing Arts Centre. 香蕉视频直播淭here are many other sites in Kelowna that are proposed for residential purposes香蕉视频直播攖here is not a high need for this.香蕉视频直播�

That message was heard loud and clear by council.

香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檝e heard from a lot of folks who are really concerned, even at the same time saying 香蕉视频直播榠t香蕉视频直播檚 beautiful, just not here,香蕉视频直播櫹憬妒悠抵辈�� Councillor Gord Lovegrove noted. 

Coun. Ron Cannan questioned if the development was the best use of the land.

香蕉视频直播淒oes it reflect our long-term vision for our cultural district?香蕉视频直播�

The height of the building, which was originally 13 storeys, was a concern for several councillors.

香蕉视频直播淭his is way too big according to what we had ordered up,香蕉视频直播� Coun. Charlie Hodge noted. 香蕉视频直播淔or me香蕉视频直播攖o get to 25 storeys香蕉视频直播攊s something I can香蕉视频直播檛 do.香蕉视频直播�

Coun. Mohini Singh was on the same page.

香蕉视频直播淎sking for extra height in my humble opinion香蕉视频直播攊t香蕉视频直播檚 a bit rich,香蕉视频直播� she said.

The project's journey has been tumultuous. Initially approved by council in 2022, the development faced backlash when it was revealed that several individuals who spoke in favour at a previous public hearing were compensated $250 each. The revelation led council to rescind the development permits in August 2023, citing concerns over the integrity of the public consultation process. 

In response, the developers filed lawsuits against the city and Mayor Tom Dyas, alleging that rescinding the permits was driven by political motives and improper conduct. The city has denied these allegations, asserting that due process was followed. 

At Tuesday's hearing, Dyas voted against approving the development permit which asked for several variances including height, and parking stalls for vehicles and bicycles.

香蕉视频直播淲ith regard to the variances香蕉视频直播攋ust not in agreement with them,香蕉视频直播� the mayor said.

Councillors Maxine DeHart and Loyal Wooldridge also voted against the project, although Wooldridge said the re-submission had given him pause.

香蕉视频直播淚 am in support of density and housing throughout the city, what I香蕉视频直播檓 challenged with though is this being public land and increasing substantially in terms of height,香蕉视频直播� he added.

Only Councillors Rick Webber and Luke Stack voted in favour of granting development permits for the project.

香蕉视频直播淭he public amenity art walk is very attractive, and when it香蕉视频直播檚 designed in partnership with the city it will be a major improvement to our downtown,香蕉视频直播� Stack said. 香蕉视频直播淭he 259 residential housing units in the city core香蕉视频直播擨 mean香蕉视频直播攐ne of our goals has been to bring more and more people into the downtown and this will actually do that.香蕉视频直播�

The Kelowna Legacy Group (KLG), which Mayor Dyas was formally involved with, has been a vocal critic of the project. KLG argues that the development's scale is incompatible with the surrounding neighbourhood and questions the terms of the land lease, which the claim allows the developer to lease the city-owned property for approximately $2,300 per month over 88 years. 

Following council's rejection, the future of the development is now uncertain.