Referendum on the Kelowna Downtown Comprehensive Development Zone
- John Zeger
- Closed on
- Target:
- Kelowna City Council
- Region:
- Canada
- Website:
- www.livablekelowna.org
The petition has been submitted to Kelowna City Council. Thanks to everyone who signed and supported this effort.
The City of Kelowna is proposing to redevelop a four block area of the downtown core with thirteen highrise structures up to 30 storeys in height. Nine of the thirteen buildings will be over twenty storeys. Such heights and densities are significantly greater than are currently present anywhere downtown or elsewhere in the city and will meaningfully change the character of both.
Although some claim that it will revitalize the downtown core, this proposal will also have other impacts such as increasing traffic congestion and crowding in the downtown, blocking views, creating shadows and windtunnels, and will not solve the social problems present there but will only displace them to other neigbourhoods. It is clear that this project is not without significant controversy.
One city councillor referred to this proposal as the most important decision before the city in the past three years. It may even be the most important decision in its history. Such an important decision should be made by the residents of the city through a public referendum and not left for politicians to decide.
(This petition can only be signed by residents of the City of Kelowna which does not include the Westside or Lake Country.)
Whereas, if approved, the proposed Comprehensive Development Zone with multiple highrise structures in the downtown core will significantly and permanently alter the character of the downtown and that of the overall community; and
Whereas the City has stated that "The process belongs to our community and the intent is to ensure that a final plan will have the participation and support of our citizens" (City of Kelowna website);
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, PETITION KELOWNA CITY COUNCIL TO CONSULT THE ELECTORS OF KELOWNA THROUGH A PUBLIC REFERENDUM ON WHETHER OR NOT TO ENACT THE PROPOSED COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT ZONE IN THE DOWNTOWN.
The Referendum on the Kelowna Downtown Comprehensive Development Zone petition to Kelowna City Council was written by John Zeger and is in the category City & Town Planning at GoPetition.