Questions arose over a zoning change that would transform the Bennett Parking Lot to a commercial site at city council Tuesday. Council members were asked to support the rezoning of the lot from public institutional to central business district. Coun. Pat Cochrane raised concerns over the process of rezoning the land located on 29th Avenue. Because the city owns the land, rezoning can be done without the public input aspect included in other land use changes. “Given the reaction to what happened on Okanagan Landing Road, it‘s a little surprising a piece of property downtown doesn‘t get the same consideration,” said Cochrane. He said the site‘s future should be incorporated into the upcoming Official Community Plan first. The rezoning application included a covenant prohibiting 15 different land uses from the property. The uses range from drive-thrus and funeral services to second-hand stores and auctioneering establishments. The developer will also have to provide at least 120 parking spaces, 90 of which must be for public use. Chief administrative officer Leon Gous said council will have the final say in what happens on the property. “This is not a for sale sign going up – it‘s a partnership.” Cochrane said the issue isn‘t the city having control over the businesses that develop and reside on the site. “Even though we may have some idea what‘s going up there I don‘t think it‘s the right process.” Gous said a number of businesses have expressed an interest in developing there. “There‘s a lot of interest and we hope to get some really good proposals.”
Council voted in favour of the rezoning application.
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Don Quixote Note: The City of Vernon paid $780,000 for the Bennett parking lot properties Lots 1-12 In January 2001. In 2005 total assessment reached $759,6000 and finally passed purchase price in 2006.
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