Leaders favour growing upwards to fight sprawl

Steve MacNaull 2008-04-19 Kelowna Daily Courier

Go up, not out. That was the consensus amongst the five Okanagan mayors and two city councillors at Friday‘s Urban Development Institute panel luncheon in Kelowna. “We‘ve identified four village nodes around commercial areas where we‘re encouraging high density of up to 12 storeys,” said Penticton Mayor Jake Kimberley. “But we‘ve also recognized that not everybody wants to live in a condominium, so we‘ll allow some smaller single-family homes on hillsides that have basement suites so people can rent them out to make their mortgage more affordable.” Vernon Mayor Wayne Lippert said his city, too, is all right with highrises up to 15 storeys in the downtown. “By increasing density, we can reduce sprawl and maintain the Okanagan lifestyle that most people moved here for in the first place,” he said.

As the biggest city in the Valley, Kelowna has the most highrises and many more under construction and in the planning phases. “Height and massing of mixed use developments in the four urban centres (downtown, South Pandosy, around Orchard Park mall and Rutland) will make sure Kelowna is a beautiful and livable city in the future,” said Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd. “We also want to transform Highway 97 to a mixed use corridor of commercial on the ground floor and offices and homes above with green rooftops and some parks.”Highway 97 through Kelowna is currently a mishmash of strip malls and parking lots. Westside wants to create new and different development to mark its status as the Okanagan‘s newest municipality. “We are asking developers to help us with the vision to come up with mixed use, infilldevelopment that reduces sprawl,” said Westside Mayor Rosalind Neis.

Even smaller towns such as Summerland, Peachland and Lake Country are in favour of growing up rather than out. “Downtown redevelopment will certainly be higher density,” said Peachland Mayor Graham Reid. “We also want housing and pre-school and after-school programs that will attract families and younger people to Peachland to even out our demographics of having 25 per cent of the population over the age of 65.” Summerland is considering a downtown proposal of five buildings of seven storeys each to house a library and seniors centre with condos above. “Summerland has very little highway development, and no strip malls or big box stores, so we can leapfrog some of the difficulties other communities are having,” said Summerland Coun. Peter Waterman. “So we can go straight to a higher density to live, work (and) shop downtown.” Lake Country has designated growth areas to keep development contained in order to preserve the area‘s rural character. “However, we are looking for higher mixed-use density in the Winfield core,” said Lake Country Coun. Alice Rees.

“And by reducing lot sizes and allowing secondary suites in most zones, we can help make housing more affordable.” All of the politicians indicated development cost charges – the fee municipalities levy on developers so they can build – could be reduced for affordable and mixed-use higher density projects in downtowns. The politicians also said it‘s a given that all developments now have to be well designed and energy efficient.
-----------------------
FROM UDI WEBSITE:
When: Friday, April 18, 2008. Time: 12:00 noon - Registration opens
12:30– 2:00 p.m. Lunch & Program
Where: The Okanagan Golf Club Quail & Bear Clubhouse Kelowna, B.C.
Cost: UDI, SICA, CHBA Members: $35.00 Guests: $60.00

Okanagan Mayors Forum
Mayor Kimberley,Penticton- Mayor Gregory,Summerland Mayor Reid, Peachland -Mayor Neis, Westside Mayor Shepherd, Kelowna-Mayor Baker, Lake Country Mayor Lippert, Vernon
Join UDI Members & Guests in hearing our Valley’s Mayors discuss:
“What is their vision for attracting quality development that meets the economical, environmental & social objectives of sustainability to their community.”