Leon Avenue鈥檚 long-anticipated redevelopment could become reality in the form of three sky-high towers proposed by a Vancouver company.
Venue Kings Ticket Brokers submitted its development proposal to the City of 91大黄鸭 last Thursday, revealing its plans to construct two towers at the intersection of Water Street and Leon Avenue and another across from 91大黄鸭鈥檚 Gospel Mission.
At the southern corner of Water and Leon would be a 24 storey hotel with 216 units. Across the street would be two towers standing 30 and 42 storeys tall, housing a total of 600 residential units. The 42 storey building would become 91大黄鸭鈥檚 tallest.
The taller two buildings would need height variances approved by council as the area is currently only zoned for buildings up to 26 storeys. The tallest building is 55.9m and 16 storeys taller than what the zone allows. The developer said in its proposal the towers match the city鈥檚 vision for the future of this zone as outlined in the Official Community Plan.
A mass timber bridge would be built between the 24 and 42 storey buildings to provide a walkway over Leon Avenue.
The plans also outline a 748 stall, six-storey parking garage, as well as commercial and retail space. A variance would be required for the parking garage as it is a 239 stall shortfall based on the OCP. The developer feels fewer cars will be required as the building is in a central location in the city core with access to public transit and bike routes. The buildings would also have two large screens on the exterior for advertising.
City planner Adam Cseke said staff are still in the primary stages of the application鈥檚 review and it鈥檚 too early to tell whether it will be endorsed as is.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 lean one way or the other until we have all of the technical feedback from all of the departments and agencies,鈥� he said.
Cseke said the towers are in an area that allows taller structures but whether the application moves forward depends on city departments鈥� assessment of the significant variances.
鈥淲ith any height variance, it鈥檚 all about the details in terms of how it works with parking, the number of units, access issues, lane issues,鈥� he said.
鈥淭here are a number of comments that will come from the city鈥檚 transportation and engineering departments. All of the variances are related.鈥�
The parking variance and the two large screens are among what Cseke said city staff are most concerned about.
There is no set date for the proposal to go to the council.
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michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com
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