Highrise open house attended by hundreds

Company proposing 10-storey tower in Lakeview Heights says at least half of comments received in favour of project

Hundreds of people attended an open house held by the proponents of what would be West Kelowna’s tallest building.

TCD Development Group hopes to win city council approval for a 10-storey tower as part of a 340-home residential project at the corner of Olalla Road and Anders Road.

“I would say at least 50 per cent of the comments we received were from people who support what we’d like to do with this site,” Rob Chetner of TCD said Wednesday.

“We want to create a variety of housing options for people who want to live in Lakeview Heights,” Chetner said. “And the way the tower is designed, nobody’s view of the lake would be blocked.”

A mixed-use development, that includes new housing as well as a variety of commercial premises, would help make the Lakeview Heights village area a more vibrant and interesting precinct, Chetner says.

“Most of the people I spoke with like the idea of Lakeview Heights having a heart and a soul and a pulse,” he said.

But Chetner’s optimistic take on the views of people at the meeting isn’t shared by Peter Drosman, a member of the Lakeview Heights Community Association.

“Everybody I spoke to was against it,” Drosman said. “Ten storeys is just too tall for the middle of Lakeview Heights.”

The LCHA advertised the open house, which was hosted by TCD, in a flyer distributed to 1,000 homes.

“Hundreds of people came out, which shows the considerable interest in this proposal,” Drosman said.

As part of the proposal, TCD would give the city $2 million over and above normal development fees for construction of a new Lakeview Heights fire hall. That contribution is in exchange for the city council allowing the tower to be 10 storeys rather than six.

“It doesn’t seem to matter to most people on council that this isn’t a good location for a highrise,” Drosman said. “They’re dazzled by the glitter of this $2 million, and they can’t get their eyes off it.”

But Chetner says his offer of $2 million is obviously a good deal for West Kelowna residents as it would result in the construction of a new fire hall years earlier than currently planned.

“I don’t see anyone else wanting to give the City of West Kelowna $2 million for a new fire hall,” he said.

A formal public hearing at West Kelowna City Hall, where council will decide whether or not to grant final approval to the project, will take place in June.