A lot that has sat empty for nearly two decades on Penticton’s waterfront at Marina Way is back on city council’s agenda for the possibility of townhouses and a 10-storey tower.
The applicant is proposing to construct 99 residential units in the form of townhouses and apartments and will front onto Marina Way and Vancouver Avenue.
There are five legal properties that make up the site including 206 Marina Way, 201, 203, 225 and 247 Vancouver Ave. located near the Penticton Art Gallery, Marina Way Beach, Penticton Yacht Club, the Esplanade linear park, and the downtown.
The developer has requested a variance to zoning to increase the maximum building height from 24 metres to 35m.
According to staff, “although the variance request is significant, representing an increase of 11m (36 ft.) in height, staff consider the additional height reasonable in context to the overall project.” The OCP supports up to 10 storeys, said the staff report.
The development is branded as The Beach House and a website has already been created for it.
The site has had several go-arounds with council, but even though the city approved the last proposal in 2018, the land has sat undeveloped.
On the first try, the beginning foundation works were done, however works stopped in 2008. In 2017, a proposal was brought forward for a 7-storey, 13-unit apartment building. The towers were proposed very close to the Lakeview Terraces.
Residents at Lakeview were very opposed to the development blocking their view and shadowing their homes.
Although the application received approval from council in 2018, the development was never built. As such, the lands have remained undeveloped since.
Now, 206 Marina Way was acquired and added to the site proposal, allowing for more creative and sensitive designs to be prepared, said the staff report to council.
“The current proposal is respectful of the surrounding area and the existing buildings locating the tower farther west along Marina Way allowed for views from the Lakeview Terraces to be maintained,” said staff. If the proposal goes ahead it would bring $660,478.50 in Development Cost Charges to the city.
READ MORE: Wiltse Block development going to public hearing June 21
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