‘Tainted process’: City says paid supporters attended public hearing for former RCMP site – Okanagan | 24CA News
City council in Kelowna, B.C., can be requested subsequent week to rescind the event allow it issued for a extremely fascinating piece of property within the downtown core.
The web site at 350 Doyle Ave., former house of the Kelowna RCMP and now an empty lot, has been the topic of countless hypothesis since 2015. Should it’s remodeled right into a highrise? An arts and leisure hub? A grand collaboration of mixed-use improvement?
Eventually, after the detachment was demolished in December 2018, the lot went up for lease, with council being swayed by highrise developer Appelt Properties following a prolonged course of.
That course of included making appearances earlier than council, with the town setting a top of 13 storeys, although that was later elevated to 25 storeys by means of a variance allow.
However, Monday’s metropolis council bundle stated that in October 2022, “the city and council-elect began to receive statements that some of the public intervenors had been paid to speak in favour of the 350 Doyle application.”
The bundle stated “in particular, the mayor received an email in early January from one individual confirming that at the request of a friend, he and several others had spoken in favour of the project and ‘was paid $250 via e-transfer for my comments.’”
It then stated “upon further investigation by staff, Appelt Properties confirmed a company hired by them to engage with the public did provide ‘nominal expenses’ to an unspecified number of persons who spoke in support of the application during the meeting.”
According to the town, 24 individuals made submissions on behalf of the developer on July 26, 2022, with half referencing the necessity for reasonably priced housing, scholar housing or reasonably priced scholar housing.
“One of the persons speaking in favour, who referenced the need for student housing, was the principal of JDH Naturals,” stated the town doc.
“Five members of council made reference to either affordable or student housing as being an issue of concern for them during the course of their remarks.”
Calling it a “tainted process,” the doc stated employees will suggest to council to rescind the July 26, 2022, motions authorizing the event and variance allow for 350 Doyle Avenue.
It additionally stated that employees will suggest Appelt Properties be invited to submit a improvement for council’s consideration.
Global News has reached out to Appelt Properties.
The merchandise will seem earlier than council on Monday. The council doc is obtainable on-line.
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