Kelowna Biz

Thanks to Michelle Rule and Kevin Craig for tweeting during the public hearing. I’m learning as I go along, what is the process and how I can present the information. I also plan on listening to the live audio feed in the future if my kids will cooperate. So Collett Manor is a proposed 4 story, mixed use building slated for Pandosy and Royal. The main floor will be medical related commercial space. The upper floors will be residential with some units for short term stays. Below are some of the tweet from the public hearing.

michelerule Coun Hobson asks if parking is consistent to HD2 zone – staff says “seems so” can’t really tell until DP stage #kelpoli

michelerule Coun Zimmerman ask what timeline is if approved. Owner says very quickly based on financing etc #kelpoli

michelerule Owner stands up to talk to commitment to short term medical stays but says needs OCP amendment & rezoning for partnerships #kelpoli

michelerule Councillor Singh asks if more rooms can be committed to patients? Applicant says short term rental is highest use so most likely #kelpoli

michelerule Applicant says project changes parking & traffic issues very little for area & according to traffic analyst may even help #kelpoli

michelerule Heritage district rep speaks about concerns re heritage home on site & also proximity to neighboring heritage district #kelpoli

k_craig It would appear it’s former City Councillor night at the #Kelowna Public Hearing. Past Coun. Tom Smithwick also speaks in support #kelpoli

michelerule Speaker says no one else seems to be building anything like this & it’s so needed #kelpoli

michelerule Now @k_craig speaks in support – believes parking & traffic are fixable, urges council to look at big picture of health district #kelpoli

michelerule Many speakers concerned about parking & want solutions before approval of another project – currently KGH is 300 spots short #kelpoli

michelerule Speaker thinks “minor inconvenience” of traffic to property owners outweighed by benefits of project to greater community #kelpoli

michelerule Next speaker says Collett Manor is good concept but not in location proposed or in size. Longterm residents struggle w/ change #kelpoli

michelerule Another speaker concerned about disregard for OCP, destabilization of neighbourhood and traffic #kelpoli

michelerule Chair of KSAN neighbourhood assn explains applicant brought proposal to them but it should be in OCP designated zone, not outside #kelpoli

michelerule People from many different parts of Kelowna speaking in support of Collett Manor #kelpoli

k_craig Wow. I definitely jinxed that. Current speaker opposed due to disruption of back alleys on Glenwood. #kelpoli

k_craig Another speaker in support. No-one opposed so far. Awesome. #kelpoli

michelerule Husband of Compassionate Clown talks about need for short term accommodation near KGH #kelpoli

michelerule Home owner from area says she has hosted a # of medical patients in her home to help them be close to services #kelpoli

michelerule JCab owner with IHA contract supports project for proximity to KGH as she hears from many patients about need #kelpoli

michelerule Next speaker talks about need for private, sterile accommodation with room for caregiver close to hospital #kelpoli

michelerule 2nd speaker represents non-profit shops in KGH – wonders what type of retail in project. Applicant will answer questions at end #kelpoli

michelerule About 15 ppl in council chambers indicate they want to speak on Collett Manor app #kelpoli. 1st speaker in favor due to short term stays.

michelerule Mayor Gray confirms that short term rental is permitted as a secondary use in the HD2 zone “hotel” #kelpoli

k_craig 3 of 38 units guaranteed to be short-term rentals. Councillors Blanleil and Basran want to know how that number was selected. #kelpoli

michelerule Councillor @Basran asks why 3 units tied to Cancer Lodge rates – applicant says staff suggested but there could be a number more #kelpoli

michelerule Councillor Stack asks about parking – applicant confirms approx 38 units w/ 67 stalls although design is not yet firm #kelpoli

michelerule Applicant reassures council that their intended use for the property is medical residential wellness centre #kelpoli

michelerule Councillor Hobson asks about preservation of Collett heritage house – applicant says the house is moveable & they want to preserve #kelpoli

k_craig JHobson asking questions re traffic flow and parking on Marrington Project. I suspect that’ll be the main issue for neighbours too. #kelpoli

michelerule Property owner reviews public consultation – 1100 support letters including 100 from immediate neighbourhood #kelpoli

michelerule Now hearing from traffic consultant – full light at Pandosy & Royal, widening & urbanization of street frontages #kelpoli

michelerule Short-term rental units at Cancer Lodge rates – 3 of 43 by housing agreement but more could be added “medical vacation” #kelpoli

michelerule Former city planner Andrew Bruce provides overview of Collett Manor to council – mixed use commercial/multi-family w/ medical focus #kelpoli

So the biggest issues brought up are parking and traffic. KGH is 300 stall short and anyone who has tried to park at the hospital can attest to that. I fully agree that the parking at KGH needs to be resolved but that is not really the concern of the property owner. Councilor Singh asked if more rooms could be added for short term stays. The applicant say that 3 was suggested by staff but they would like to partner with a non profit and make more available. They need to have the zoning before those talks can begin. So that is one to keep in mind when this hits the Development Permit Stage. There is also a Heritage building on the site. The applicant has indicated a desire to move the house. A number of people also came out in support of the project and the applicant has 1100 letters of support of which 100 are from the local area.

The end result of the Public Hearing was unanimous approval from Council. That means this will go forward to a Development Permit Stage. At that point more things will be set in stone. Personally I like this development and feel that it is something that is need for Kelowna and the hospital.