Developers could get a so-called density bump – permission to build more suites in new housing projects – if they include a day care in the building. And a day care might be provided to City of Kelowna employees who have young children. Those are two suggestions coming from the city‘s advisory committee on community and women‘s issues that will be considered at Monday‘s council meeting. “There‘s quite a shortage of day-care space in Kelowna,” Coun. Michele Rule, a member of the committee, noted Friday. Currently, the city allows developers to include more suites in a project if provision is also made for affordable units, which are rented or sold to low-income earners at below-market rents. The same approach could be used to encourage builders to provide on-site day-care facilities, both for residents of the building and for people who live in the surrounding area.
Last fall, council approved a 123-unit housing development in the Glenmore Valley, known as Blackstone, which will include a day care. “The day care is truly an exciting part of the project,” Coun. Brian Given said at the time. “The project‘s focus is very much on young families.” About 100 of 700-plus city employees have children under five, Rule said. The committee‘s recommendation is to have staff investigate the possibility of establishing a day care somewhere on city premises. If such a facility is set up, Rule believes it could encourage private firms to follow suit: “We could lead by example.”
No comments:
Post a Comment