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In the spring of 2017, the City of Kelowna created a competition called the ‘Infill Challenge’ in an attempt to combat urban sprawl and increase the number of available housing options in the city’s core. The challenge resulted in the identification of innovative housing designs that would set the standard for the city’s new RU7 zones.
Over 700 properties in central Kelowna neighbourhoods that were zoned as RU6, meaning they were allowed to contain up to two dwellings, were changed to RU7, allowing them to now contain up to four dwellings depending on the size of the lot.
This decision was made in order to tackle low vacancy rates and offer additional housing in central areas, from the downtown core toward the hospital. Increasing the number of quality dwellings in the city’s core means that residents can live closer to work and other services, and take better advantage of city resources and alternative transportation methods like walking, biking and busing.
RU7 zoning also offers incredible investment opportunities to property owners. Depending on the dimensions of the lot, several options are available to property owners in RU7 zones including the addition of duplexes, fourplexes, single homes and even subdivision.
"Through the rezoning of these properties, home owners residing in this new RU7 area have gained significant equity in land value, which could realistically lead to substantial, immediate and long-term financial gain through various development options," said Jason Webb, President of Harmony Homes, an Okanagan-based custom home building company. "Whether developing on their own or as a joint venture, options include designing and building to suit the needs of new home buyers or the much needed rental market."
While some choose to simply add a dwelling to their property alongside the existing home, others have used this as an opportunity to demolish deteriorating homes and rebuild from scratch. Some have used the income from subdividing to build their dream homes, some have built high-quality rental properties
In any case, by taking advantage of the new zoning rules, property owners can significantly increase the value of their property, generate additional rental income or subdivide and sell.
While many have taken advantage of the new zoning laws, many properties remain untouched. They say nothing worth doing is easy, and this process is no exception. Permits must be obtained, development costs and key service upgrades must be considered, and specific design standards must be followed.
The payoff is worth it, but it’s a lot of work, which is why it helps to have someone who has been through the process before and knows what they’re doing at your side.
"We applaud the City of Kelowna’s initiative to increase density in the downtown core by way of promoting smaller single family and multifamily homes," added Webb. "In response to this change in zoning, Harmony Homes has created an Infill Home Feasibility Study program to assist RU7 property owners with understanding all the potential options and exactly what’s involved in developing their property."
Harmony Homes offers a no-cost, no-obligation Infill Home Feasibility Study in order to determine your property’s potential. The study includes a site visit to analyze the property, existing building and neighbourhood, and a full exploration into the infill options available to you.
In addition to the site visit, Harmony Homes will discuss your needs and wants, cost estimates, funding solutions and the potential monetary gains of developing your property. Harmony Homes is very familiar with the specifications for these projects and able to produce award-winning design ideas for your inspiration.
Whether you’re looking to build your dream home, increase your rental income potential, develop unused lot space or all of the above, Harmony Homes can help. To learn more about your RU7 property’s potential, contact Harmony Homes.
Harmony Homes is an award-winning custom home building company that has been creating amazing homes in the Okanagan, Southern B.C. Interior and Boundary regions since 1975. With talented in-house designers and experienced, passionate staff, Harmony Homes creates comprehensize building plans tailored to your unique needs and taste.
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