Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 soon-to-be-tallest building will be three storeys shorter than originally planned.

Council has approved development permits for the UBC Okanagan downtown campus tower at 43 storeys. The building, proposed for 550 Doyle Avenue, first came to council at 46-storeys.

害羞草研究所淲hile this represents a departure from the 2040 Official Community Plan (OCP) downtown heights map, which suggests a height of 26-storeys, the OCP also has policy that supports the increased height,害羞草研究所� said Trisa Atwood, city planner. 害羞草研究所淧olicy 4.4.3 states that if a proposal contains significant benefit to Kelowna citizens, it should be considered for additional height which does apply in this case.害羞草研究所�

Atwood noted those benefits include rental housing, a post-secondary institution in a socially connected urban centre, and outstanding architectural design. Councillor Luke Stack said the project is a substantial improvement and a gain for downtown.

害羞草研究所淚 also want to thank the applicant for reducing it a few storeys and listening to council害羞草研究所檚 concerns and the public害羞草研究所檚 concerns.害羞草研究所�

The building will house academic space on levels one through eight, and 473 rental apartments on levels 12 through 43.

害羞草研究所淚t meets a number of our objectives, 473 rental units is astounding,害羞草研究所� said councillor Loyal Wooldridge. 害羞草研究所漀ormally we approve about 955 annually, so that害羞草研究所檚 basically half in one afternoon.

Atwood told council that currently there is a 1,300-person waiting list for student housing at UBCO害羞草研究所檚 main campus. The downtown tower will house nursing and social work programs with 500 students eligible for housing. The height of the building was still a concern for some on council.

害羞草研究所淏ut I害羞草研究所檓 impressed with the project overall, said Coun. Mohini Singh. 害羞草研究所淚 think it害羞草研究所檚 a coup for us to get a world-class university right in our downtown core.害羞草研究所�

Although he called it a 害羞草研究所済ame-changer害羞草研究所� to have UBCO downtown, Coun. Charlie Hodge was the lone vote against the development.

害羞草研究所淚 still can害羞草研究所檛 get past the height, I think it害羞草研究所檚 overkill,害羞草研究所� added Hodge. 害羞草研究所淚 also think it creates competition for other potential student housing facilities in the downtown. I think the focus should be education first and housing second when it comes to this particular project.害羞草研究所�

Hodge also said he felt the development was contrary to the OCP.

害羞草研究所淚 have some concerns about the safety, and good luck with the parking I hope that works.害羞草研究所�

READ MORE: Colleges to host joint public debate for Kelowna mayoral candidates

READ MORE: Crash flips SUV on McCurdy Road in Kelowna

gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on and subscribe to our daily and subscribe to our daily newsletter.