3 Tower Project on Leon Ave Approved

[CrystalCity]

I've also notice lots of "Sponsored" ads on Instagram. I was driving down around the site tonight and it looks like something is being prepped. A portion of one of the towers is going to be rental units so I guess we will find out if a crane rises up.

[Even Steven]

I was driving down around the site tonight and it looks like something is being prepped.

I wonder whats the cheapest unit price level will be. My guess is on $390K

[marshp0]

It's interesting how the council went quiet talking about the massive electronic billboard that the developer said he will be putting on the front of the building on this side of the bridge with advertising for his "vegastickets" website. As I recall the developer said he would only do it if he could install the billboard...

[cv23]

https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/3 ... wna#322370

The CoK could possibly find themselves in some deep doodoo if they follow staff's concerns on this one.
Since they have already allowed/permitted/approved a dozen vastly overheight towers downtown how can they deny another? They set a precedent when they allowed the the very first tower to grossly exceed the current legally adopted OCP, bylaws and zoning for downtown and now the floodgates are wide open.
Do any of the legal beagles out there know if turned down by Council, however unlikely that may be, the developer seeking this current variance can sue the CoK over being turned down because a precedent has already been set? The CoK has in the past even gone as far as to give excessive height variances in the downtown based on "the project not being profitable without the extra height" so why would it be only some developers get to make a profit and others not?
Please remember this is all hypothetical as Council will undoubtedly approve this variance just like they have ALL the others and this publicized concern by staff is likely nothing more than a dog and pony show for the publics benefit.

[dirtybiker]

Dog and pony show..Hahaha !

Why does it feel that we are the ones following behind with the wheelbarrow and shovels

[dirtybiker]

We all know this scenario all too well.

Zoned for 5, ask for 15, get 10 (example)

No matter the actual number arrived at. It will still have the desired effect
of getting way more than one initially was allowed.

What a waste of bureaucratic process and taxation money when OCP's and zoning
mean nothing at all.
Just a scratch of the pen and a wave of hand. Poof !

I guess it was just me that took into account the zoning of any
property to make sure my uses fell within the mandate.

Not go ahead with securing the property and then go ahead to make
others bend to suit my model.

What a system that we've allowed to fester and grow, seemingly un-checked.

[Mrmarvingardens]

The comments from city hall grow brow more bizarre by the minute.
The latest mental flatulence comes from planner Ryan Smith.
" The Leon development of 43 stories is ok because everyone wanted this area to be cleaned up. But, 46 stories seems a bit beyond what we should be doing."
I have a question: since when do the number of stories have anything to do with anything? Leon avenue could be cleaned up with 10, 15 or 20 stories. (Hawaii permits only 25 stories near its foreshore)
Also the latest ruse used by developers is also a con job.
It goes something like this: We have to build up to make it financially viable"
It was used as an excuse to give us the mess at Central Green; the development off Lakeshore that was approved after the mayor had a private meeting with the developer, and now being used by the 43 and 46 proposals.
A big game but it seems to work.

[CrystalCity]

It's interesting how the council went quiet talking about the massive electronic billboard that the developer said he will be putting on the front of the building on this side of the bridge with advertising for his "vegastickets" website. As I recall the developer said he would only do it if he could install the billboard...

No, no, no...it's not just Vegas, it's GINZA 銀座, Piccadilly Circus, and Times Square Broadway

I'm surprised that I didn't see it include room for a UFC venue.

[Even Steven]

It goes something like this: We have to build up to make it financially viable"

Why, you thought developers build things as a hobby?

Ps: what's wrong with Central Green? I don't remember them asking to go up, or asking for any variances around the height? Can you provide a link to a story?

[CrystalCity]

Actually when the Central Green project originally was proposed to city council it was supposed to have a few towers around 20 stories in height. Council was shocked and disappointed when the developer came back stating they were reducing the size of the project. The rationale: it would cost too much.

[ckil]

2 of the 3 condos we put an offer on ended up having some form of water damage and/or plumbing issues which would result in very high special assessments. The one had a special assessment of $24k with more to come. It is crazy how many developers cut corners and favour the cheapest building materials possible.

[CrystalCity]

2 of the 3 condos we put an offer on ended up having some form of water damage and/or plumbing issues which would result in very high special assessments. The one had a special assessment of $24k with more to come. It is crazy how many developers cut corners and favour the cheapest building materials possible.

Developers in the Okanagan didn't learn from the leaky condo fiasco of Vancouver in the '90s.

[cv23]

Developers in the Okanagan didn't learn from the leaky condo fiasco of Vancouver in the '90s.

Vancouver (Lowermainland) based developers are the very ones who have been doing the lions share of the building/developing in Kelowna then and especially today. Not only have they brought their trades and suppliers with them, taking jobs away from locals, but they have also brought their building techniques and levels craftsmanship because they have taken all the money they can from their own community and because their often shoddy building practices are no longer permitted there.
The developer of this project from the Lowermainland based.

[Mrmarvingardens]

Whats wrong with Central Green?
The answer has been supplied by Crystal who noted the original plan was towers and LEED development.
What we have now was pushed by the present city manager, who at the time had ties to the R.E. industry.
With no pushback from council, Stober and Mission Group created the excuse that low rises couldn't be built because of the water table.
Someone mentioned leaky condos in Vancouver.
This has nothing to do with the water table.
They resulted in the construction industry lobby that convinced elected officials a water envelope and overhangs at the roof area were not needed. With the heavy rains the lower mainland experiences, the shells of buildings were drowning in water, ultimately resulting in thousands of exteriors ( and interiors) needing repair.

[Even Steven]

Whats wrong with Central Green?
The answer has been supplied by Crystal who noted the original plan was towers and LEED development.

You said Central Green is a mess right now, so I was asking what current mess you're talking about.

Crystal mentioned that the original plan was much taller buildings, but the developer decided against it, and you seem to be disappointed. So, when the developers go higher you don't like it, when they go lower you don't like it either?