A proposed three-storey townhouse development in front of Penticton’s lake-to-lake bike lane has been sent to a public hearing, nine months after the same project was rejected by the city’s previous council.
Local politicians gave first reading Tuesday, April 18, to a plan that would see a six-unit development built at 924 Fairview Road.
The project was shot down in July 2022, due to concerns over parking and access to the building.
Last summer, it was a seven-unit plan but developers have since downsized the proposal.
The property in question can be seen on the east side of Fairview Road, just south of Martin Street/Fairview Road/Scott Avenue.
Apartment buildings are located on neighbouring properties to the north and south.
The revised edition of the plan is now set for a public hearing on May 2, following a 5-2 vote from the city’s new council.
Mayor Julius Bloomfield, who as a city councillor voted against the proposal last summer, said Tuesday his concerns with the townhouse development have still not been addressed.
“The access to this development is on a fairly busy corner and a difficult corner for people to navigate,” Bloomfield said.
“That was my concern then and it remains my concern now.”
The development consists of two, three-storey triplexes accessed from an internal driveway. Each unit has its own garage and yard space, city staff noted.
Councillors Campbell Watt, Helena Konanz, Isaac Gilbert, Amelia Boultbee and Ryan Graham voted in favour of sending the project to a public hearing.
Bloomfield and coun. James Miller were opposed.
“If this was maybe in a different location, on a different street, on a different corner, I would consider it,” the city’s mayor added.
The townhouse development brought along concerns from nearby residents like the bike lane’s impact on traffic, density and parking at Fairview Road at a public hearing last year.
Penticton’s previous council later rejected the project by a vote of 5-1.
The vote, however, kept the bylaw at first reading and allowed the applicant to revisit their proposal in response to public feedback, according to city staff.
READ MORE: Townhouse development in front of Penticton’s bike lane shot down by council
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