KELOWNA – Design changes to the interiors of residential units in the as-yet unnamed Westcorp hotel and condo tower have triggered the need for an amendment to its development permit.

Westcorp received a height variance and development permit last February allowing the Alberta-based company to build a 33-storey hotel and luxury condo tower sitting on a six-storey mixed use podium structure.

Approval by Kelowna council for the height variance, however, was given against the advice of the city planning department who said it was too big and out of scale for the area.

The company has yet to proceed with construction citing uncertainty around the provincial speculation tax introduced that same month and due to go into effect this fall.

The development has yet to open a sales office and directs retail leasing enquiries to Westcorp’s vice-president of operations Gail Temple.

The form and character development amendment requested by the company was submitted last March and is supported by staff, planner Adam Cseske says in a report to council.

Approval for the amendment does not constitute an extension of the two-year time limit on the development permit, the report notes.

Kelowna councillors will consider the amendment request at their regular meeting 1 p.m. Monday, August 27 at Kelowna city hall.

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