Rutland supportive housing project headed to Kelowna city council

KELOWNA – The next Rutland housing project for homeless people in Kelowna will likely only make a brief appearance in city council chambers Monday afternoon, Aug. 12.

The land for the 50-unit project on the corner of McIntosh and Asher roads was rezoned in 2007 and given a development permit at that time for a 52-unit apartment building that never got built.

Since the land is already zoned correctly, all council can decide on is the form and character of the building. Since no variances are required, no public input is permitted.

The project, to be managed by the John Howard Society, will allow residents to use alcohol and illegal drugs on site.

Rutland residents gathered 13,000 signatures from eligible Kelowna residents trying to stop the nearby McCurdy Road supportive housing project in July. In the end, B.C. Housing changed the rules at that facility, banning illegal drug use on-site.

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