Council on board with Front Street addition
The “missing tooth” on Front Street has been found, and if approved, will be the tallest building to sit in the historic district.
Detailed plans for a five-storey, mixed-use building at 24 Front St. went before council Tuesday evening. Of particular concern is the proposed height of the building.
The new Official Community Plan limits buildings in the Main Street area of the downtown core to three storeys. The proposed building falls under that restriction.
The first floor of the building would hold retail space and parking for residents, the second floor offices, the third a three-bedroom flat, the fourth would have a pair of two-bedroom apartments and the fifth floor another three-bedroom flat.
The design of the building would see floors three to five set back from the lower floors, so the full height of the building wouldn’t be visible to passers-by right in front of it.
“The intent of limiting the height on Front Street is to try and follow the historic nature of those streets,” said planning manager Blake Lavin. “The design (of this development) is very sympathetic to the existing architecture.”
The proposed design also includes a breezeway accessed by a gate that would be locked after hours, so customers could access stores with a side entrance in the existing neighbouring building.
“When Coun. Campbell Watt and myself were on the Downtown Penticton Association, we used to call these lots (on Front Street) the ‘missing teeth’ of the downtown smile,” said Coun. Julius Bloomfield. “To see one of them filled is quite nice.”
Coun. Judy Sentes complimented the exterior of the building, saying she believes it will be a “good fit” on a street that advertises itself as colourful.
“I’m curious about the public hearing, and if we’ll get any sort of comment at that point,” she added.
Council noted the loss of parking that currently exists in the empty lot as a shortcoming of the development.
“The space that’s being used right now is for nine other cars,” commented Coun. Katie Robinson. “If we start cutting back on the requirements for the parking here, I can see a rather large problem coming towards us.”
The application, which received full support from council, will move forward to a public hearing on Feb. 19.