Photo: Meridian Development
Conceptual rendering
Developers of a planned 227-unit condominium project on Boynton Place have withdrawn their application after pushback from neighborhood residents.
Regina-based Meridian Development was scheduled to appear before city council Tuesday night seeking approval for both development permits and development variances.
However, the company pulled the app earlier in the day, stating its intention to make changes to the project.
“At this point, I’m not sure how many changes they plan to make,” City Clerk Stephen Fleming said in response to questions about the scope of the planned changes.
“I think we got 59 or 60 letters of objection, so they’ve gone through them and decided to redo the application and re-engage the neighborhood, so I guess it’s going to be a while before it goes back to the council.”
The project for sale off Clifton Road at the base of Knox Mountain was proposed to include three three-story buildings containing 74, 76 and 77 residential units and one and a half levels of parking.
The neighborhood rejected the project, citing concerns about traffic, parking and loss of green space.
In response to questions for comment from Castanet News, Meridian officials said in an emailed statement that they withdrew the project due to neighborhood feedback, but did not say what specific issues led to the decision.
“The Meridian team engaged in neighborhood consultation as part of the design process, but it wasn’t until we had to go to council that we were able to understand the full extent of our neighbors’ perspectives on the project,” the company said in the email.
“We have decided to take additional time to review the new feedback and continue to work with city staff to ensure we are able to adequately address the design issues raised.”
Despite the decision, they appear to be placed at the same number of units.
“We remain excited about our application because we believe it achieves so many community goals, including the creation of 227 new homes that will serve a variety of household types and income levels in one of Kelowna’s central neighborhoods.”
Castanet reached out to a group opposed to the development for comment.
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