KELOWNA, B.C. – After years of debate and public heat, Kelowna City Council will consider an application to rezone 12 city-owned waterfront properties to create a new park at council Monday.
The residential properties are located in the 3000 block of Abbott Street, on Walnut Street west of Cedar Avenue and one property on Meikle Avenue.
The City had considered a proposal to sell the waterfront portion of the properties to a developer to pay for the creation of a new public space at Cedar Avenue Park but that created an out-cry from neighbours who insisted the properties were purchased with the intention of creating a park.
The City disputed the development opponents claims but re-engaged the public at a community charette in February involving 30 community volunteers. Among the group were ordinary citizens, developers, representatives from area neighbourhood associations and four members of the Kelowna Paddle Centre, the neighbourhood’s newest tenant.
Kelowna residents at large were solicited about what to do with the waterfront land through an on-line engagement process.
After receiving the public feedback, council voted to create a park on the properties instead of sell any portion to a developer.
Among the ideas for the park could be a new civic owned building to house the Kelowna Paddle Centre, which some City documents have suggested could include a $1 million investment by the City.
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