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What’s new for West Kelowna

The city is dealing with a long list of construction projects
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Through the smoky haze, Conrad Harding grinds off old road paint with an eradicator.. - Image Credit: Carli Berry/Capital News

West Kelowna is dealing with several building projects throughout the city including:

Westbank Centre

A number of projects have recently been approved in the city’s main town centre, all of which support objectives to make this historic, commercial core a vibrant, pedestrian-oriented destination, says the city. Major projects include:

  • The former Cattle Country strip mall—This former strip mall and gas station will be substantially renovated with the removal of the old gas bar and car wash, while the existing building will see significant interior and exterior improvements, new retail space, and a new gas bar. The building will be anchored by an Otter Co-op Gas Bar and Retail Store.
  • Carrington Ridge—Earlier this week, council approved a development permit for construction of three, four-storey apartment buildings with total of 240 purpose-built rental units. The proposal includes an amenity building, and additional outdoor amenity areas including a fire pit gathering area, community garden, bicycle repair station and a car share program. This development will help raise the vacancy rate in West Kelowna by supporting the provision of affordable rental units, says city hall.
  • Medical building— The land assembly of two residential homes was completed in early 2016 by a local group of investors for the purpose of building a new strata medical office building on the combined lots which would include several medical offices and a pharmacy. With the design recently completed and submitted to the city, construction is anticipated to start this Summer.
  • Plans for a brewery—Work is underway for a complete interior renovation former Salvation Army building at the corner of Old Okanagan Highway and Main Street. Once complete, this new craft brewery will feature full production and a tasting bar, with future plans for food service. It is is expected to be open this summer.
  • Red Truck Cider House—Work is underway to build the Westside’s first cider house. The property will feature a working cider-apple orchard, production facility, tasting room, and picnic area for visitors and guests. It is slates to open this summer.

Other business that have moves to the area or expanded include:

  • Wyatt Auto Parts moved to a new larger location off of Old Okanagan Highway (above the RCMP building) in late 2016.
  • Esteem Lingerie, moved to a larger, renovated location in Westgate Shopping Centre
  • The Ministry of Children and Families opened a new office in the Westgate Shopping Centre in 2016.

Residential construction activity is also expected to continue at what city staff describe as a “feverish” pace with continued development in Shannon Lake’s Tallus Ridge area, as well as the Broadview and East Boundary Road areas and Rose Valley and Lakeview Village. All are expected to keep pace throughout 2017 and into 2018. The areas will be the source of new development and community growth over the next decade, say city staff.

“Some major trends that we’re seeing (include) a rapid rise in proposed multiple family projects,” stated city staff.

In 2015, for example, only 50 multiple family units were approved. In 2016, that number jumped to 90, and so far in 2017, approximately 300 new units are proposed, excluding Lakeview Heights (see below), in large part because of the Carrington Ridge apartments.

“We are also seeing a major boom in small-lot single-family subdivision applications, facilitated by the extension of community sewer in existing neighborhoods, such as Lakeview Heights and Glenrosa, and zoning requirements that support small lot (550-square-metre) parcels.

Major residential projects include:

Lakeview Heights

Redevelopment of the Lakeview Heights Mall on Anders Road continues with new retail and professional office space. The first phase was completed in late 2016 and the second phase to be completed by mid-spring 2017and will be home to a new Nesters Grocery Store. Subsequent phases will include a multi-family rental building and additional retail space targeted towards food and professional tenants. The developer has also recently purchased the former Lakeview Elementary School site with plans to development a multiple-family development with more than 300 units.

Goat’s Peak

City council has authorized amendments to the Official Community Plan to support development of a new neighbourhood in West Kelowna known as Goat’s Peak. The development will help provide much-needed residential housing, says the city and is intended to accommodate approximately 933 units, with a future population of more than 2,000 residents. The approved plans include the protection of 55 per cent of the 110-hectare site as park and open space. An elementary school site with athletic fields and a small scale commercial/mixed-use area is also planed.

South Mount Boucherie

Phases five to seven of the Vineyard Estates neighbourhood have been approved,with the addition of more 202 units planned, a mix of single-family houses and and duplex units.

Smith Creek

A developer-led neighbourhood plan is proposed in the Smith Creek neighbourhood. The draft plan anticipates the construction of more than 900 units, with housing types ranging from single family, duplex and townhomes.

Glenrosa

Council has amended the OCP to accommodate a new development in Upper Glenrosa, with approximately 124 units, including single-family and townhomes. Also in Glenrosa, development permits and preliminary subdivision approvals have been given to Glen Eagles (60 units) and Salco Management (183 units).

Elsewhere commercial building projects continue including:

  • A new gas bar and associated commercial space on Westlake Road (Chevron, AW restaurant)
  • New Bartel Gibson showroom and warehouse on Stevens Road
  • Mount Boucherie Winery Expansion – Restaurant, Accommodation, and Tasting Room Expansions
  • New Cold Storage and Distribution Facility on Industrial/Westlake Road