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Kelowna city council will make a decision Tuesday that could greatly affect the look and feel of this city for the future.
If built, the 42 storey residential tower proposed for Leon Avenue will be Kelowna's tallest building. The skyscraper is one of three buildings that would make up Water Street On the Park.
"Kelowna is not 'little Kelowna' anymore," said developer Anthony Beyrouti. His project would also mean a transformation of a section of downtown that has been symbolic of the city's struggles with homelessness and all the problems that go along with that.
"People just don't really want to be in that general area," he said. "So what we need to do is totally transform the thought and perception of the area. So what do you have to do? You have to build something spectacular. That's why we're doing three buildings."
But to go ahead as currently planned, the project needs a variance from the city to allow the full 42 floors. Current zoning allows for 26.
The project was rejected the last time it went council, in part because it included a short-term rental element. Now that's been pulled from the proposal and it has the support of city staff. The lone supporter of the original proposal was councillor Ryan Donn.
"Well I like the fact that somebody is actually investing on that street," explained Donn. "Any time somebody's looking at putting that significant amount of investment on Leon Avenue, that's well worth considering."
Not everyone embraces, the idea of such a towering structure just steps from City Park.
"I think it's too much for Kelowna," said one woman out walking downtown. "It might be great for the economy but it might ruin the view of the lake," said another local resident. But others are eager to see the plans play out. "I like the tall buildings," said another.
"We don't need to be ok with just the way that things are," added Beyrouti. "We can make them better."
The public hearing is scheduled for 8:30 pm Tuesday night.
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