An a residential building is envisioned for three adjacent properties near the intersection of Shuswap Street and 5th Avenue SE.
The properties are at 560, 580 and 610 Shuswap St. Their owner is seeking to rezone the properties from R10 Residential to R5 High-Density Residential to permit multi-family residential development.
The properties are designated High-Density Residential in the city's official community plan and, when consolidated, would support up to 88 residential units. Final approval of the rezoning will be subject to consolidation of the three properties, a traffic impact assessment and approval from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
(The above information was corrected by staff at the Feb. 10, 2025, city council meeting, where staff explained up to 46 units would be allowed with bonuses and 36 without.)
A concept drawing included with the application, received at the Dec. 16 development and planning services committee, shows a multi-storey u-shaped building on the consolidated property.
Asked about the need for the traffic impact assessment, city engineer Jenn Wilson said the current four-way stop at Shuswap and 5th is known to be "under-performing" and can be an issue at times, "so we just want to make sure there aren't any improvements that we can make at this time that will make it easier."
The committee identified the location as perfect for high-density development.
"We are trying to build from the inside out here, starting at the core and moving out, so this to me seems like a perfect location for five storey buildings, and whether it be rental or whether it be market for purchase, to me both are good," commented Mayor Alan Harrison. "We need more housing of any kind."
The committee voted unanimously in favour of the application proceeding to council.
