KELOWNA - City Council endorsed a public engagement process at today’s meeting that will see the City and the community work together to craft a new plan for Pandosy Waterfront. The redevelopment of the seven City-owned lakefront properties on Abbott Street, north of Cedar Avenue is listed as one of Council’s priorities for 2014.

“We understand there were concerns with the last version of the site plan and we are ready to take another look,” said Mayor Walter Gray. “A lot has changed since the project was last before the community in 2011. We’ve got a new Council, we’ve proposed the inclusion of a paddle centre and staff has worked with the community to come up with an agreeable engagement process.”

As part of the framework going into the engagement process, Council endorsed a set of eight project parameters or guidelines for the redevelopment. These include:
-  Paddle Centre – Accommodate Kelowna Paddle Centre within redevelopment scenarios, including up to 5,000 square feet of space.
-  Financial Viability – Complete the development with no additional tax impact and consider development options which result in a financial return to the City for further reinvestment opportunities in the community.
-  Park – Incorporate a park and waterfront walkway as an integral part of the site.
-  Pedestrian and Park Connections – Incorporate park and pedestrian connections to current and anticipated developments.
-  Parking – Design site and buildings to meet bylaw requirements for parking in future zoning.
-  Riparian Setbacks – Respect required riparian setbacks.
-  Council Policy – Adhere to or make recommendations for amendment to Council Policy 76.
-  Timing – Complete public engagement and any required rezoning by the fall of 2014.

“The engagement process will kick off next week, including a two-day charrette or urban design workshop at the end of February,” said Graham Hood, Strategic Land Development Manager. “We recognize that we need broad community involvement, so we’ll round out the process with our online engagement tool, an open house and public review sessions at the end of each charrette day.”

For more information or to find out how you can get involved in public engagement activities for the project, visit kelowna.ca/cityprojects.

News from © iNFOnews, 2014