Image: Westcorp
Kelowna’s downtown skyline will look dramatically different within three years after city council approved a 33-storey hotel and condo project.
The vote was 5-2 with councillors Charlie Hodge and Ryan Donn voting against. Coun. Maxine DeHart recused herself from the debate while Coun. Tracy Gray was absent.
The vote means Edmonton-based Westcorp will able be in charge of constructing what will be, when complete, the tallest structure in the city on the former Willow Inn site along Mill Street and Queensway Avenue.
In 2014, Westcorp was given approval for a 26-storey hotel on the site, but scrapped that plan as inadequate for financing. The new 33-storey proposal includes a six-storey podium, a 10-storey hotel with 174 rooms, a 17th floor restaurant and 16 storeys of for sale condos.
There will also be a world-class convention centre.
Unlike previous public hearings where people railed en masse about height so close to the waterfront, Tuesday’s meeting featured speaker after speaker in favour of the project.
“I’ve sensed a change, a turn in the corner around height in this community,” said Coun Gail Given.
“What we maybe set out in 2008 to 2011 as to what was acceptable…we’ve now seen projects built and less and less do we get concerns from folks about height. In fact, we see the opposite that perhaps we are not adding appropriate density to sites.”
Twenty-five people spoke on the project Tuesday, 21 in favour.
They used phrases such as iconic, world-class, putting Kelowna on the map, and a need to grow up, not out.
Despite the enthusiasm from those in attendance, staff was adamant the project should not go ahead as proposed. They suggested the building was too tall and had too much massing.
“It was never the city’s intent to have the largest building in the city on this site,” said planner Terry Barton.
Staff also cautioned staff that supporting the project could be a signal to other developers that height downtown is no longer an issue.
“We pride ourselves as a council at looking at every project on a case-by-case basis, so I don’t see this as setting a precedence in any way,” said Mayor Colin Basran.
“This is an exceptional piece of property that deserves exceptional status, and therefore it can push the boundaries a little bit. This is not a signal to others that it’s now carte blanche to add another 10 storeys or another two storeys to a podium.”
While staff had concerns, council believed the benefits far outweighed the negatives.
“The interface with Kerry Park will complete the missing link of the waterfront walkway,” said Coun. Luke Stack while ticking off the reasons to support the project.
“I do think the quality of the ground oriented space, I really do compliment Westcorp and the team with coming up with an amazing interface on Queensway. The convention space we need, we gain a 170 room hotel and a 17th floor restaurant.”
The city also gains about $1 million in amenity contributions, including improvements to Mill Street and Kerry parks, the Queensway Plaza improvements to Water Street and 22 parking stalls lost because of the site.
“I believe this sets a whole new standard for our city,” said Coun. Mohini Singh.
“Yes, the developer wins and gets a fabulous project to work on, but the citizens of Kelowna also win. Our city all-around will be served better because of this project.”
Coun. Ryan Donn, who admitted he’s no planner, said he couldn’t support the development.
“I don’t think we have the capacity at council to negotiate this, or the next 10 towers,” he said.
“I think we run the risk of these types of negotiations happening in the public realm or political realm for the next few development downtown. I would rather have predictable policy supported by council.”
Westcorp will construct a sales centre for the condos in the summer, and if pre-sales go well, construction should begin by the end of the year.
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