Hotel proposed for former bingo hall property in Penticton

PENTICTON – Penticton city council is expected to look at a zoning amendment at this afternoon's council meeting that would allow redevelopment of the former Bingo Palace and an adjacent residential property into a hotel.

The Fairfield by Marriot hotel chain proposes to build a four storey, 95 room hotel with an indoor pool and hot tub. The proposal includes space for 95 parking spots as well.

The zoning amendment proposed would rezone the bingo hall property and the adjacent lot at 602 Eckhardt Avenue West and 640 Eckhardt Avenue West from service commercial to tourist commercial.

A variance to increase the maximum height of a building from 12 metres to 13.5 m and the waiving of a requirement for bicycle parking is also being requested by council.

Construction value and land costs of the project are estimated at around $13.8 million, contributing an additional $95,000 annually to the municipal tax base.

The City and the developer have reached an agreement for a strip of land to be dedicated for road widening on Eckhardt Avenue, with water and sewer upgrades for the project to be paid for at the developer’s expense.

A transportation impact assessment is required to be submitted prior to adopting the zoning amendment.

If council approves the recommendation at today's meeting, June 20, the proposal will be brought before the public at a July 4 public hearing.

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