(MEAGHAN ARCHER / iNFOnews.ca)
July 14, 2014 - 5:40 PM
PENTICTON - A development plan that has been in the works for several years has been brought back to council, and soon, the public will have a chance to say a word or two.
There will be an open house on July 16 at the Penticton Public Library for the Wiltse Area development plan. A public hearing will be held in August before a regular city council meeting, where the developers, council and residents can comment and ask questions on the project.
The Wiltse Area development plan was discussed at last week’s council meeting after a presentation by Ed Grafone of CTQ Consultants. The development plan outlines all the major building blocks of the project, including roads, waterways, electric, and infrastructure among other things.
The construction project is mainly residential and includes single-family homes, multiple-family homes (apartment buildings), and town homes. Well over half the area is designated for park and open space area, and also include some conservation land and commercial property as well.
Coun. Wes Hopkin said he is concerned about having apartment buildings in that area because that kind of housing is needed in the city’s core.
“It’s going to take a while for this to work its way through and for there to be a full build out on it. But even 30, 40, 50 years out, I still have a tough time saying I would be comfortable with some five-story apartment buildings up in this area,” he said.
Grafone assured the plan reflects the city’s Official Community Plan and where the market is going in the valley.
The multi-family buildings will offer cost-effective housing, which has been a concern for the last 5 or 6 years the consultant has worked with the city, Grafone said.
Council will have to pass several zoning amendments to allow construction of houses, roads, parks and commercial space. Comments, concerns and suggestions from both city officials and residents will be heard by the developer and taken in to consideration for future plan amendments.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Meaghan Archer at marcher@infotelnews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014