65 townhouses proposed for west shore of Shannon Lake

Dozens of new homes are planned for the west shore of Shannon Lake in West Kelowna.

Sixty-five townhouses in 12 buildings are proposed for two lakeside properties, 2749 and 2769 Shannon Lake Rd., that currently have single-family homes.

The redevelopment proposal includes dedication of a 2,700-square-metre linear park along the lakeshore, to extend an existing public path. The new park would also be connected directly to Shannon Lake Road to promote enhanced public access to the lake.

However, major changes to the zoning bylaw and official community plan would be required to support such an increase in residential density for the two properties, which together cover about 1.6 hectares.

Potential benefits to the public, West Kelowna planners say, include increased lake access, more diverse housing options, and park and trail improvements.

The proposal will be given initial consideration by West Kelowna’s advisory planning commission on Thursday, then forwarded to city council for a decision.

Members of the advisory planning commission will also consider a separate housing proposal, for 20 new homes at the southern end of Casa Palermo Drive in the Casa Loma waterfront neighbourhood.

Plans show nine single-family homes and a multi-family complex with 11 homes. City officials say the proposal is consistent with the area’s zoning.

West Kelowna routes development proposals through its advisory planning commission, made up of volunteers who provide recommendations to the city council. The City of Kelowna abolished its advisory planning commission in 2012, with projects sent directly to council from staff.