An ambitious re-development plan for a Kelowna mobile home park was the focus of a public meeting Tuesday night where more than 100 people packed Kelowna city council chambers.
Westcorp owns the 18 acre Hiawatha trailer park on Lakeshore Road.
The company has already purchased most of the mobile homes in the park and would like to buy the remaining 18, but those owners are holding out for more money and were among the many people speaking out against the project.
The company says it has offered to help relocate mobile homes, but the owners say those options aren’t suitable. The remaining homeowners are asking the city to refrain from approving the project until the developer has reached an agreement with them.
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“I have a petition with 408 signatures which demonstrates a fervent desire from the stakeholders we want to register strong disapproval of Westcorps proposal,” says resident, Trish Willis.
The proposal requires an amendment to the official community plan. It includes an 11 story boutique hotel, conference centre, commercial space and more than 200 townhouses.
Westcorp had its biologist on hand to discuss the restoration of Wilson Creek as well as an engineer to answer traffic related questions — one of the main concerns of nearby residents.
“This development is a big negative effect on neighbouring properties. It’s not fair that this developer just comes in. You have to consider the human factors. Development is great but there comes a time when you have to say no,” says resident, Ernie Patterson.
The public meeting wrapped up around midnight.
Council has deferred a decision on the proposed bylaw change to the Official Community Plan until Monday, April 8.
In between now and then, council will not be allowed to receive any new information on the proposal and will have to base their decision on what they heard at the public meeting.
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