Too valuable a view to ruin with a building

Julie Daniels, Kelowna Editor: I am not invested in this fight, but I am a longtime citizen and observer of changes in our city as are many of you on council. The difference being you see a parking lot, I see a natural appealing attraction.

At this parking lot, I have witnessed many people of all abilities and nations, including many elderly, park and scan from west to northwest and reminisce or be overwhelmed at the vastness. My personal choice would see this area as a lookout with time-limited parking meters and the rest of the lot with larger marked park zones for vehicles of those with disabilities.

My employment allows me to observe what these patrons painstakingly go through just to take in the view. It is an all-consuming effort for many who cannot walk to the promenade. Their time is mainly spent offloading, preparing equipment and reloading.

It is hard for us citizens of Kelowna to understand a beach stroll being rare for many (and still harder to understand for those who only need walk out their back door to see the lakefront). I suggest that the existing zoning not change and Tourism Kelowna be informed that no permanent structure on downtown city parkland will be considered until 2019 at the earliest, if ever.

Tourism Kelowna should be encouraged to assess value by their presence on the waterfront or any Kelowna public property as any other licensed enterprise: By use of annual permits and portable information kiosk(s).

Tom Read, Kelowna