Penticton council narrowly approves rezoning for proposed multi-family complex on Lakeshore Drive

Photo: Contributed

Citizens of Penticton shared little love for a proposed eight-unit development on Lakeshore Drive at a lengthy public hearing Tuesday night, after which council gave it a preliminary go-ahead.

Council gave first, second and third reading to a proposed rezoning for 620 Lakeshore Drive to medium density to allow for the four-storey project to proceed. As part of the process, they sought feedback in a public forum, held both virtually and in person at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre.

Roughly two dozen Pentictonites had their say at the hours-long meeting, with many expressing concern about the character of the proposed building, designed by developer Meiklejohn Architectural Design Studio, and setting a precedent for changes to the historic lakeshore neighbourhood.

Prior public feedback had already led the developers to amend their proposal from five storeys to four, and to increase setbacks.

They submitted 20 letters of support from Pentictonites to council ahead of the public hearing.

"Prior to the application being made, we had not heard back any feedback from members of the Heritage and Museum Advisory Committee despite our best efforts to be transparent with the public," they wrote to council.

But many who showed up to speak Tuesday were in opposition.

"A size ten foot in a size five shoe, or packed in like the cheap seats of a discount airline," one person put it.

In a narrow 4-3 vote following the public hearing, council lent its support to the rezoning, which will be officially adopted at a later meeting. Couns. Judy Sentes, James Miller and Frank Regehr were opposed.