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Developer looking to convert Penticton campground to apartment building development

If successful, it would mean the closure of Lake Skaha Tent & Trailer Park
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A conceptual rendering of the apartment buildings that a developer wants to construct on properties along South Main Street that are currently operating as the Lake Skaha Tent & Trailer Park. (Photo from City of Penticton)

After 13 years, a contended piece of land has received its first step of council support to transition from a campground to a site for future apartment buildings.

At the regular meeting on Oct. 1, city council voted to give first reading to a bylaw amendment that affects 3790, 3700, 3650 and 3600 South Main St., which would rezone the lots from campground commercial (CT2) to medium density multiple housing (RM3). This would allow for the construction of 180 rental units in two, five-and-a-half-storey apartment buildings.

The developer originally approached council in 2006 with a concept plan to build three apartment buildings at the location that would sit 10, 12 and 14-storeys high. This bylaw revision was ultimately rescinded and abandoned by council that same year, leaving the land to operate as the Lake Skaha Tent & Trailer Park.

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“This (previous) proposal had raised concerns from the surrounding area, and in particular, the neighbours to the east of the subject property who were concerned that the height would significantly impact their view. The rezoning was never completed and the property has remained zoned as CT2,” said city staff in their presentation to council about the background of the property. “The applicant has prepared site sections for the proposed development. These assist in visualizing the proposed buildings in relation to the grade and slopes on the property. This shows that the proposed buildings would not exceed the height of the slope to the east, which would help to ensure minimal impact to property views.”

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According to the application, the proposed development would also include a community building for the tenants, which would house a full-time manager as well as a common-area kitchen for larger functions, a gym space and an outdoor social space. The development, which aims to be a net-zero project, would also include 275 parking spaces, 40 per cent of which would be underground, and does not require any variance permits.

“I recall the 2006 application, and there was a huge response to that because of the height of the buildings and the overhead views of the owners above (the property),” said Coun. Jake Kimberley.

The developer is also hosting an open house for the development on Oct. 17 at the Seniors’ Drop-In Centre on South Main Street from 5 to 7 p.m. The bylaw amendment regarding the properties will come back before city council at the public hearing on Nov. 5.

To report a typo, email: editor@pentictonwesternnews.com.

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Jordyn Thomson | Reporter
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