Council greenlighted the first phase of a new residential project at 3388 Skaha Lake Road, a site which has been vacant since the Wonderful Waterslides Park closed in 2006.
This phase in the first of three towers that will be part of the site, surrounding the small commercial development recently completed on the corner of the site.
The subject of this development permit is a 12-storey condominium tower with 71 units and four garden apartments constructed at the ground floor of the building, facing Skaha Lake Road for a total of 75 dwelling units.
Two more towers will be built in later phases of the high-density project.
“Once finally completed, the overall development will provide 261 residential units,” said Jules Hall, director of development services.
Coun. Tarik Sayeed said that while he appreciated the investment developer Tony Vant Geloof — whose company also built the Cherry Lane Towers — is making in the community, he still had concerns about the effect of the development on street parking in the area.
Mayor Andrew Jakubeit, on the other hand, said he was excited to see construction on the rise around the community.
“And certainly, the developer has a long track record of building quality product,” said Jakubeit. “It is exciting to have them build another project of significance.”
Council approved the development permit by a 6-1 vote, with Sayeed opposed.