Proposed homes, hotel go back before public
West Kelowna council requires additional public consultations from developer before it will consider project further
The developer of a controversial West Kelowna development must conduct additional public consultations before proceeding.
The Campbell Road project, called Blackmun Bay, covers seven hectares and includes 300 homes in towers up to 10 storeys and a 180-room hotel.
Critics say the development represents far too much density for the site and would lead to significant traffic problems.
At Tuesday’s city council meeting, company representative Robert Moskovitz asked council to give second reading to the project before it goes to public hearing, which was tentatively scheduled for next month.
Moskovitz said since four of council’s nine members are newly elected, they would benefit from hearing from IBI Group about Blackmun Bay before a public hearing is held.
He said some additional technical studies have been completed since the proposal was last before council in mid-2018.
“We do not believe it’s the right way to bring to the public something that was already six months outdated,” he said. “We’d like to make sure when it’s brought for a full public consultation . . . we bring the information as the development is envisioned now.”
Nancy Henderson, manager of development services with the city, called this an “unusual” way of proceeding with an application.
All information regarding the project will be made available to staff, council and the public prior to the public hearing, she said.
Staff had recommended going to public hearing based on the large number of comments the city was receiving from the public.
“Part of the reason of not going to second reading is based on the public concern and also limited staff time,” said Henderson. “If council is unsure about moving this forward, I highly recommend going to public hearing.”
Coun. Rick de Jong said it was for that reason he supported going to public hearing prior to second reading, which is usually the order of things for development proposals.
“I’m unsure about whether I’m going to give fourth reading to this,” he said. “I’ve got lots of questions, lots of doubts, and that’s why I wanted to see the public hearing earlier in the process, versus after second reading.”
De Jong said he was not prepared to support second reading without hearing from the public.
Coun. Doug Findlater said it would be advantageous to have the public hearing sooner rather than later.
“You’re going to spend more money and, quite frankly, more of our staff time if this thing is headed for the dust bin,” he said to Moskovitz.
Council voted all in favour of directing the developer to hold additional public consultations prior to council’s consideration of the request for second reading.