After years sitting as an empty dirt field, a Rutland property is being proposed as the home to a new 37-unit residential subdivision.
The land, near the intersection of Hollywood Road South and Juniper Road, adjoins the Seventh Day Adventist Church’s Okanagan Adventist Academy.
The church owns the land.
Kelowna council agreed Monday to send the proposal, to build 21 single-family units and 16 duplexes to public hearing so they can hear resident response to the requested rezoning of the property.
“I grew up in this area and that has been a dirt field for 40 years,” said Coun. Brad Sieben, adding he was excited to see the development proposal.
City planner Ryan Smith said while there has been talk of developing the land for years, the proposed development will create housing for a mixed demographic in the area.
The site is considered well served by transportation and close to amenities, and the city is waving its usual requirement for included green space because of its close proximity to area parks.
It is two blocks from Springfield Road and the entrance to Mission Creek Park and even closer to the Hollywood Road Education Centre, where there is also green space.
The centre is located across the road from the adjacent Okanagan Adventist Academy.