Penticton duplex proposal fails to garner council support

PENTICTON – A zoning amendment for two properties on Cambie Place which would have allowed duplexes on both sites failed to gain traction with Penticton council at Monday’s meeting.

The matter came before council at a well attended public hearing prior to the regular meeting of council yesterday, April 18.

Staff recommended the amendment, which would have rezoned 166 and 172 Cambie Pl. to allow for duplex housing, from a large lot residential designation, in addition to a development variance permit to reduce the minimum yard setback to 4.8 metres.

Parking, soil stability, neighbourhood density and ambience were factors challenging council as they deliberated the recommendation. One resident’s letter, written in objection to the amendment, said the building site was built on improperly filled land, raising issues of site stability.

Penticton Mayor Andrew Jakubeit objected to what he heard as a 'negative stereotype' about duplexes during the public hearing, but also said the development didn’t fit in with the mature nature of the neighbourhood.

Coun. Max Picton, calling himself pro-development and a fan of the developer, said he struggled more with this proposal than any others because it 'bordered on high density neighbourhoods'.

“There’s a good place for densification in the city, and I’m having a hard time believing this is it,” he said, adding it was time for the city to take a look at an Official Community Plan update.

Council ultimately overturned the staff recommendation, voting 5-2 against the amendment.

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