Councillor Charlie Hodge drew a round of applause at council害羞草研究所檚 Monday (Mar. 11) meeting for his stance on potential infill housing development in Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 heritage conservation area.
New provincial legislation sets out density targets for several zones in municipalities across B.C.
READ MORE: Frustration and acceptance for Kelowna council on housing legislation
害羞草研究所淚 don害羞草研究所檛 think we害羞草研究所檙e leading by saying yes to this, I think we害羞草研究所檙e leading by saying no, not this time,害羞草研究所� Hodge added. 害羞草研究所淚f that is going to cost us something down the road害羞草研究所hen so be it.害羞草研究所�
The approximately 20 members of the public attending the meeting applauded the comment.
Ryan Smith, director of planning and development, said there was likely no ability to separate the heritage component from the rest of the legislation, noting it could cost the city if council pushed back.
害羞草研究所淢y response would just be speculation害羞草研究所�.but there may be things like grant funding applications害羞草研究所�.where it害羞草研究所檚 tens of millions of dollars that relate back to that decision.害羞草研究所�
Hodge likened the province害羞草研究所檚 actions to those of a playground bully.
害羞草研究所淚f somebody doesn害羞草研究所檛 stand up and say no they害羞草研究所檙e just going to continue to do it.害羞草研究所�
Councillor Ron Cannan was on the same page as Hodge.
害羞草研究所淲e have nothing to lose by saying no, this is our position as a council.害羞草研究所�
He noted that Penticton is holding several public open houses to hear residents害羞草研究所� comments on the provincial housing legislation.
害羞草研究所淭here害羞草研究所檚 a point where there害羞草研究所檚 a hill to die on and this is it for our heritage conservation area.害羞草研究所�
At a previous council meeting, Cannan suggested the city write the province asking that the few blocks in the Abbott Street and Marshall Street areas be exempt from the legislation.
Councillor Luke Stack sat on the other side of the issue, pointing out that staff are working on coming up with ideas on how to protect heritage areas.
害羞草研究所淚 would rather focus on what we can do as a city rather than dig in our heels and say we害羞草研究所檙e not going to follow the province害羞草研究所檚 directive and you can害羞草研究所檛 make us.害羞草研究所�
At previous meetings, staff have recommended that infill developments in heritage areas be limited to four units on a single-family lot. Provincial legislation calls for six units.
Councillor Maxine DeHart suggested that concerned residents go directly to the source.
害羞草研究所淧erhaps go to your MLAs, they are your body. I害羞草研究所檝e put that in writing to many people.害羞草研究所�
Cannan made a motion to defer giving three readings to zoning bylaw amendments to conform to the legislation. It was defeated with just him and Hodge in favour.
Council then voted to give the three readings with Cannan and Hodge opposed. Councillor Gord Lovegrove recused himself from the discussion and vote citing a conflict of interest.
害羞草研究所淭his was not an easy decision by this council,害羞草研究所� said Mayor Tom Dyas. 害羞草研究所淲e know exactly the rules being imposed on us, not only in this particular area but areas throughout the community.害羞草研究所�
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