Council OKs new Front Street building
A shiny new glass building will soon adorn Front Street.
Penticton city council on Tuesday approved a $10-million development to be located on the old Slack Alice’s property, which will see a five-storey, mixed-use development made of concrete, wood, stone and glass.
Following a lengthy public hearing, council voted 5-2 in favour of allowing a handful of variances for the building’s height and parking.
Former mayor Jake Kimberley wants to see the property developed, but warned council that Front Street has a unique look and history.
“No community should lose the value of its history and this could drastically change the look of Front Street forever by a poor planning decision,” he said during the public hearing.
Resident Denis O’Gorman cited contradictions from the city’s Official Community Plan and also noted a newspaper advertisement in The Herald which implied the development was already a done deal.
Much of council’s debate was spent on parking concerns and the overall facade of the building.
The development will have eight of the required 16 parking stalls, but will enter into a car share program.
Lawyer Eric Lund, speaking on behalf of the developers, agreed that parking on Front Street is at a premium, but noted there’s always extra space available on nearby Veterans Way.
“We have to make adjustments to how we park and not to expect to find a place to park right in front of a building,” Coun. Judy Sentes said, referencing Europe and New York City, where residents accept having to walk up to six blocks to their destination.
Coun. Max Picton and Mayor Andrew Jakubeit were the two dissenting votes. Picton said he likes the building, but it won’t fit into the character of the neighbourhood. He suggested sending the issue back to staff for possible modifications.
Lund argued that timing is of the essence. There are several tenants, including the Boyle and Company law firm, anxious to move in. By opening prior to the final day of 2018, the group will qualify for a building incentive grant offered by the city for a limited time.
“I never thought I’d be on record saying I agree with Jake Kimberley,” Picton said, “but I don’t find the look to be fitting with the character of Front Street. There are not too many signature streets in our community and this will be too far of a departure.”
Coun. Campbell Watt said the building will be a huge plus for the downtown.
“We have a company willing to invest $10 million on a downtown lot that’s been vacant for five years,” Watt said in an interview following the meeting. “This will be a landmark building and the design and look is beautiful.”
Watt also believes it will add character to the downtown.
“It’s going to create a more walkable community and with the residential component, as people move into the downtown we could see an overhaul to our transit system. With people living downtown, you should see some of the vacant shops in the 100 through 300 blocks starting to fill up.”