There is frustration and concern for Kelowna councillors over changes to provincial housing legislation.
害羞草研究所淭here is a whole bunch of what we害羞草研究所檙e looking at that I just fundamentally have a problem with,害羞草研究所� said Coun. Charlie Hodge during a council meeting on Feb. 5.
Part of the legislation requires a minimum of four units on lots in suburban areas of a municipality and six units in urban areas.
There are approximately 13,400 lots in the city that can accommodate four units.
The legislation also does away with requirements for public hearings for developments as long as they don害羞草研究所檛 seek variances and meet Official Community Plan guidelines.
The public hearing issue is one that Hodge has spoken against at several previous council meetings.
READ MORE: Lack of public hearing frustrates Kelowna councillors
害羞草研究所淭hat being the main access the public has to council on issues and I wonder how long before we害羞草研究所檒l even need a council if they continue to take away everything from our ability to deal with the public.害羞草研究所�
Infill housing in the heritage conservation and building heights around Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) also concerned councillors.
害羞草研究所淚 don害羞草研究所檛 see tearing down a heritage house and putting in a fourplex害羞草研究所here害羞草研究所檚 nothing heritage about that no matter how it害羞草研究所檚 designed,害羞草研究所� said Coun. Rick Webber.
Coun. Ron Cannan suggested that the mayor write the province asking that the few blocks in the Abbott Street and Marshall Street areas be exempt from the legislation.
The suggestion was not taken up by the rest of council.
Staff is proposing that suburban infill rules be applied to the heritage conservation area.
害羞草研究所淭hat害羞草研究所檚 to accommodate the sensitivity related to that particular area,害羞草研究所� said Adam Cseke, planner specialist.
The legislation also requires a minimum of 10-storey buildings within 200 metres of a transit exchange.
The province has designated the bus stop at KGH as a transit hub.
害羞草研究所淗owever, when we met with Interior Health, that would significantly impact the operations of the heliport,害羞草研究所� said Cseke. 害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e recommending we only go to six storeys.害羞草研究所�
Staff will present more information on the changes to legislation at council害羞草研究所檚 next regular meeting on Feb. 12.
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