A 56-unit apartment building has been propsed for the empty lot located at 7616 Okanagan Landing Rd (photo courtesy of Google Street View)

By Liam Verster

56 Unit Housing Project

Public hearing ordered for proposed apartment on empty Vernon lot

May 25, 2023 | 2:00 PM

A new multi-unit housing project has been proposed for an empty plot of land in Vernon’s Okanagan Landing, but it will require some public feedback before moving forward.

At the regular meeting Tuesday, May 23, Vernon city council received a rezoning application for 7616 Okanagan Landing Road.

The subject property is located east of Paddlewheel Park, just past the 1516 Pub and Grill, and west of Okanagan Landing Elementary.

The property on Okanagan Landing Road where a 56-unit apartment building is proposed. (image courtesy of the City of Vernon)

The request asked that the lot, currently zoned as R5: Four-plex Housing Residential, be changed to RH1: Low-Rise Apartment Residential.

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The owner is looking to build a four-floor, 56 unit apartment building on the property, including an underground parkade and a rooftop amenities area. The building would have 27 one-bedroom units and 29 two-bedroom apartments.

The layout of the proposed multi-unit housing project at 7616 Okanagan Landing Road (image courtesy of New Town Architecture and Engineering via the City of Vernon)

The floor plan for the first floor of the proposed new apartment building at 7616 Okanagan Landing Road (image courtesy of New Town Architecture and Engineering via the City of Vernon)

In the rationale presented to council, the report stated the “proposed rezoning would promote infill development as a sustainable land use strategy and maximize the use of existing infrastructure within the neighbourhood district.”

The report also noted the owner will provide a statutory right of way on the eastern site of the property to connect a city-owned sanitary main between Okanagan Landing and Klinger Roads. As a condition of the rezoning, city staff recommend the owner also provide a right of way along the utility corridor as a pedestrian public walkway.

“The site is in close proximity to Paddlewheel Park,” the report read. “Hence, the pedestrian connection between Okanagan Landing Road and Klinger Road is expected to improve park connectivity and enhance vibrancy in the neighbourhood.”

City staff noted a public hearing would not be required for the rezoning as “it is consistent with the general intent of the land use designation in the OCP [Official Community Plan].”

After receiving the report, Mayor Victor Cumming stated he “strongly recommend that we take Alternative 1, which is the same as the motion [to support the rezoning] but includes a public hearing.

“The reason why I’m going to articulate that is if you look at the OCP map, the two properties adjacent both to the west and to the east are single family dwellings and I think that it’s really important we give the public an opportunity to weigh in on what will be a very significant change in their neighbourhood,” Cumming told council.

Councillor Brian Quiring noted the underground parking is appealing as, though some parking is planned outside, the city is trying to avoid parking lots out front of new buildings.

Councillor Brian Guy added he believes there is a need for more infill housing, but also stated this would be a big change from the current empty lot and agreed a public hearing was needed.

The original motion, which would not include a public hearing, was put to a vote and defeated with Councillors Kari Gares and Kelly Fehr being the sole votes in favour.

Cumming then put forward his motion to move forward with Alternative 1, which passed unanimously.

The bylaws related to this project will come before city council at the June 12 meeting, and the public hearing on the matter will be held following the council meeting on July 17.