Ron Seymour Kelowna Courier:
New development would take on a strikingly different look if proposed changes to Kelowna‘s official community plan are approved. Every new residential project of more than 50 suites would have to include affordable housing units, developers of new subdivisions might have to provide shuttle buses for homebuyers, and people who want to install irrigation systems would have to apply for a permit. New buildings would be held to higher energy-efficiency standards, community gardens would be mandatory in new multi-family buildings, and a ’made-in-Kelowna‘ style for high-rises would be encouraged. These are some of the specific policy changes to the OCP that were unveiled Wednesday by city staff and consultants at a public open house held at the Enterprise Way firehall.
Some of the proposed changes are significant departures from the way development is currently overseen. For example, one proposal is to allow secondary suites in every residential area, with homeowners not having to go through a rezoning process. The idea of permitting secondary suites everywhere in Kelowna has been a contentious one, with some seeing it as a way to promote affordable housing and others worried it will change the character of neighborhoods and lower property values. Another suggestion is to give priority in the building approval process to projects that are said to include environmentally-friendly features. And stratification of apartment buildings with four or more units would not be allowed if the city‘s apartment vacancy rental rate was three per cent or lower. Details of the proposed OCP changes can be viewed at kelowna2030.ca.
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