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Kamloops News

Church development tackles parking problem

The condo complex at 429 St. Paul St. will offer more small car parking than what is typically allowed in Kamloops.
Image Credit: 429stpaul.ca

KAMLOOPS — A month ago council debated whether to allow tax breaks for a United Church funded residential development and this week they tackled the lack of parking allotted for those suites.

Back in February council spent a lot of time discussing the merit of looking into a tax break for the church on the residential suites, even though staff pointed out several times that without a change to the bylaw they would be unable to consider any tax break.

This week council quickly approved more small car parking and subtle changes to the exterior plan.

The central location and availability to alternative transportation such as walking, transit and cycling as well as the relatively small size of most of the units led staff to believe parking will not be as big an issue at the complex.

“These are primarily one bedroom units, fairly affordable... more suited to smaller cars,” development services director Marvin Kwiatkowski noted. “From what I witnessed the 30 per cent would be adequate.”

Because of the downtown location staff are willing to compromise on the need for more full size off street parking, especially given the number of scooter parking spaces and bicycle storage in the plan.

With 56 residential units, church administration space and retail space for the church thrift store all in the plans, city staff have been working with the developer to meet all the bylaw requirements.

Staff recommended council allow small car parking spaces be increased to 70 per cent from 30 per cent and to reduce the drive aisle width on the ramp portion of the parking lot by 1.3 metres.

With Coun. Nancy Bepple absent and Mayor Peter Milobar excused due to a conflict of interest, council voted fully in favour of the changes.

To contact a reporter for this story email jstahn@infotelnews.ca or call 250-819-3723.

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