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Matthew Reed
I believe in transparency and not just telling the voter what they want to hear. Here is what I have submitted to the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and the Citizens for Responsible Community Planning:
I owned a business in downtown Kelowna during the initial exodus of small businesses from the downtown core in the early part of the decade. In a couple of years the downtown went from a busy town center to a near ghost town on a Sunday in the winter.
I do support the extensive redevelopment of the downtown core and Harvey Avenue. However, I do not support all aspects of the current CD-21 zone proposal. My greatest concern is the building heights and the loss of tourism, not the concept of redevelopment.
For the plan to go forward the building heights would have to be lowered and there would need to be more preservation of green space along the waterfront. The downtown needs to retain its green space and image of a unique lakeside city. This is a huge draw to our tourism industry. Tourism has a low overhead and often provides a return of 5:1 on your tax dollars.
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2 Responses to “What to do about downtown redevelopment”
Tags: by-election, CD-21 zone, cd21, downtown redevelopment, Kelowna
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There goes Mary-Ann Graham again trying to appeal to both sides on an issue. From her answer to Adrian’s question on the downtown CD Zone, she sounds like she is generally in favour of it, doesn’t she? Well, have a look at her answer to a similar question posed by the group Citizens for Responsible Community Planning of which I am Chairman:
1. If you are elected to Kelowna city council, how do you plan to vote on the current proposal for the downtown CD Zone (CD-21) when it comes before city council for fourth reading? (For or Against)
At this time, NO, considering that even most in favour still think it is flawed. It would irresponsible to approve a plan that would require revisions in the near future. The application can come back in 6 months. I am inclined to see this be rescinded to first reading.
a. If your answer to Question 1 is “against,” what changes to the plan do you require in order to vote in favour of it?
The Royal Trust site, heritage protection and the heights of buildings.
b. What do you think should be the maximum building height allowed in the downtown?
I do not know.
From her answer to our question she sounds like she is mostly against it.
So if Mary-Ann answers crafts her answers to questions depending on who is asking it, where does she really stand on this issues? Does anyone know? Does Mary-Ann even know? How would she vote on this if she was elected to council? Does anyone have any confidence that she will vote as she says when she is constantly saying different things.
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My intention is to make a motion to have the CD21 zone 2nd and 3rd readings rescinded so that changes can be made based on the public hearing input. The revitalization of the downtown is too important to have a plan go through that does not have the vast majority in favour. This plan would be defeated by the present council if the past stands stay true. Even if the new councillor is in favour, it would be defeated. The revitalization of the downtown is too important to have a plan go through that does not have the vast majority of council in favour. Having it pass by one vote would not send a strong message to the development community that the city is ready for it. Sending it back to 1st reading could address the trust and accountability issue faced by council and city hall. The Kelowna.com question did not ask how I would vote.
Please continue discussion on the forum: link