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Mark Thompson
The City, the Community and Developers have invested heavily in a high quality process to encourage the redevelopment of a major portion of Kelowna’s downtown. Public input was received on this matter at various levels of discussion including public hearings.
The City took over a year to move from the first workshop on Sept. 14, 2007 to the final Public Hearing for the CD-21 Zone on Oct 20th 2008. Developers took direction from the city and agreed to significant changes to meet mutually agreeable terms. The Council approved second and third reading of the comprehensive development zone
by-laws at its meeting on Oct. 27, 2008. It was expected that the by-laws would be approved by fourth reading which is generally considered a formality following a required approval from the provincial Ministry of Transportation.
On balance the CD-21 zone is a good plan to help revitalize down town and it should pass fourth reading. No plan will ever be perfect. Important issues can be addressed through other means.
We must find a way to move the approval process for the CD-21 zone forward. This will be the beginning of a strong revitalization of our downtown. To deny this will make a mockery of Kelowna in the investment community and it will set revitalization back 10-20 years.
There must be a way for those that apparently oppose the fourth reading of the bylaw to mitigate their reasonable concerns without destroying progress.
We will need to elect one more councillors in favor of proceeding and attain one more vote from those that are holding it up. With the greatest respect the Mayor has a responsibility as the leader of council to see this go forward and I will do what I can to help her and others to see the positive reasons to proceed forward.
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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