PENTICTON – The next step towards a development that could see up to 1,500 housing units built with a mix of office and other commercial uses, would see Penticotn City Council give three readings to a rezoning bylaw that rezones the property allowing for high-density, mixed-use.
“This is an important step in what will result in a large increase of housing stock in a strategic area of the community, supporting the hospital and industrial employers. Staff have worked collaboratively with the developer to ensure there is the proper mix of uses, and that the development addresses impacts through select off-site requirements,” says Blake Laven, the City’s director of development services. “This project will have impacts on the neighbourhood so we’re working together to ensure the infrastructure is in place to support the changes that will come.”
Some of the improvements being recommended by staff include:
- Full design and construction of Government Street, between Industrial Avenue and Carmi Avenue, including but not limited to curb, gutter, all ages and abilities level active transportation lanes, transit stop and sidewalk;
- Full design and construction of Page Avenue from the subject property to Dartmouth Road, including but not limited to curb, gutter, sidewalks and drainage infrastructure, and accommodating the current industrial uses currently utilizing the road right-of-way;
- Installation of all ages and abilities level active transportation lanes along Government Street, from Carmi Avenue to Duncan Avenue;
- Upgrade of existing multi-use path along Ellis Creek, from Dartmouth Road to Government Street;
- Installation of a crosswalk and sidewalk along Carmi Avenue, from Halifax Street to Dartmouth Street, including traffic calming along that section of Carmi Avenue;
- Upgrade existing multi-use path along the north side of the site, from Government Street to Dartmouth Road, including installation of a new pedestrian/bike connection up to the new crosswalk on Carmi Avenue, between Halifax Street and Carmi Drive.
“If Council gives the go-ahead, then we would work to enter legal agreements with the developer on the noted projects,” says Laven. “After those agreements are signed, then it would come back for final approval of the zoning changes.”
Source: City of Penticton