North Gateway Draft Plan

Penticton Resident Jun 5 2022 at 1:38PM on page 21

The area under consideration was, before development, a wetland. Rather than fighting the Land and putting in developments that it does not want to support, we need to take into consideration the characteristics of the Land and build accordingly. Otherwise in the future, the land will react, and we will have flooding and structural damage. This was evident in other areas of the province in the fall of 2021. We don't need taller buildings; we need to work with the Land we are borrowing.

Kim Lymburner Jun 3 2022 at 5:00PM on page 7

Hello, This is an exciting plan and I am personally looking forward to the transformation. As a resident of West Bench, I'd like to remind you that there is an important intersection just beyond the bridge over the channel and just north/west of the Penticton golf course (where Hwy 97 turns into Eckhart). While this intersection may be technically out of scope for this project, it is a very important access point for residents and visitors to West Bench, as well as dump trucks using the West Hills Gravel Pit. It is one of only two access points to West Bench/Sage Mesa. It is frequently congested and will only become more congested as population density and attractions increase in the north gateway area. This intersection will therefore have to be redesigned (traffic circle? light standards?). Please do not lose sight of this intersection and please work with the RDOS to design an intersection that will function well -- or risk creating a major traffic pinch point. Also, in early phases of the plan consultation, the problem of too many commercial billboards where Hwy 97 approaches the northern gateway. Is there a strategy for this? Thanks

Tanya Osborne Jun 3 2022 at 3:14PM on page 24

Don't forget to be sure to include public access to water in the parks. i.e. water fountains / filling stations.

Tanya Osborne Jun 3 2022 at 3:12PM on page 29

Love green space!
Consider use of edible greenery where feasible.

Tanya Osborne Jun 3 2022 at 3:10PM on page 28

Consider addition of <link; Universal Design for all buildings and infrastructure.

Tanya Osborne Jun 3 2022 at 3:08PM on page 28

Ensure accessibility of sidewalks are not impacted by 'spill out' of businesses.

Tanya Osborne Jun 3 2022 at 3:07PM on page 27

Ensure active transportation modes are accessible year round.

Tanya Osborne Jun 3 2022 at 3:05PM on page 26

Make use of edible greenery.

Tanya Osborne Jun 3 2022 at 2:28PM on page 21

Would love to see universal design <link; included as standard building practice of this development. It will allow for easier modification to homes which will allow people to age in place - which is a goal in the Age Friendly Action Plan.

Tanya Osborne Jun 3 2022 at 2:19PM on page 12

It is unfortunate that Interior Health was not asked to engage. They are an interested stakeholder in the design of the community, as how a community is built/designed will impact health outcomes.

Andy Holzapfel Jun 2 2022 at 9:51PM on page 2

What will happen to Murray GMC and Huber Bannister car dealerships? If you are getting those properties, are you coming up with new locations for them and are you going to be building them new facilities? If not, are they going to be forced to close their businesses and that would be a lot of well paying lost jobs? I personally think you are more interested to cater to tourists than you are the locals that live and work here, locals pay taxes and support local businesses year round - tourists don’t.

Holly Bosscher Jun 1 2022 at 4:48PM on page 44

As a homeowner for 33 years on Alexander Ave. (just off Power St.) I have serious concerns regarding the infrastructure needed for this area! With recent densification of my neighborhood, the amount of traffic and the congestion already (particularly on Power St.) has dramatically increased. I can't imagine another 300+ units (El Rancho property) and 30+ units (Villa Rosa property) being constructed without HUGE changes to infrastructure. Densification has already tremendously impacted the vehicular traffic in my neighborhood, never mind adding another 335 families meaning 500+ vehicles. No matter what is envisioned with living close to amenities and encouraging people to walk/cycle, people still have vehicles and seem to be dependent on them. Parking is now in short supply because developers have been allowed to build with fewer parking spots than is realistic.

In 2012. the COP dug up Alexander to replace water lines. With the densification going on in my neighborhood, the changes in water pressure in my residence in the past year have been very noticeable...Once again, densification needs planning and infrastructure to meet not only present but future needs!!! These projects cannot go forward without serious consideration of this.

Frances Greenslade Jun 1 2022 at 12:36PM on page 33

I hope we will apply this walkability strategy to other areas of the city, too.

Michelle Childs-Schmitt Jun 1 2022 at 11:22AM on page 2

I heard a 'rumour' that there is a plan in place to put a number of 8 story condominium buildings where the former Ogopogo Motel previously was. I also heard that the Dept. of Hwy's will then close off access to River Rd from Hwy 97 . That would push all of the traffic into/out of the shopping center with Cobs, T-Bones & Quality Greens A&W, Pharmasave to the Westminster corner where the lights are. It would also restrict access in& out of the shopping center to that one little entrance at the bottom of Quality Greens . That traffic would be competing with the traffic coming & going from the condo units being proposed. Congestion will be a hot mess.

Michelle Childs-Schmitt Jun 1 2022 at 11:12AM on page 2

I don't believe Westminster can support the volume of traffic that this proposed condominium development will add to the area.

Alison and Craig Reigh Jun 1 2022 at 10:12AM on page 21

The beauty of our city is in being able to see beyond the buildings to the mountains. Buildings in this gateway area should be on average 3 and possibly 4 stories, with 5 or 6 being the exception, and these taller buildings need to be back from the road, and not near the waterways. Taller buildings belong in the centre of the city. This especially applies to complexes with multiple buildings--they need to be capped at 3 or 4 stories.

Laverne Cormier May 31 2022 at 10:36PM on page 53

I’m concerned parking has not been given credible consideration especially in the summer. Current development has reduced parking for channel floating needs and subsequent pressure on neighbouring streets.

Development standards with curb and gutter plus sidewalks on streets historically lacking this infrastructure can’t support street parking in addition to the new infrastructure.

Frances Greenslade May 31 2022 at 7:57PM on page 29

Let's look at implementing a bicycle/scooter borrowing system, as is being tried in Vernon with Evo. Paris has such a system called Velib. A small city like ours should be able to do this very effectively.

Frances Greenslade May 31 2022 at 7:55PM on page 28

Having recently returned from a trip to France, I love the idea of public squares! I would like to see more of this in our city.

Frances Greenslade May 31 2022 at 7:53PM on page 27

I hope that cycling infrastructure will not be tacked on to the plan after other transportation systems are in place, but will be fully integrated into the design, perhaps using traffic signals that sense vehicles approaching and keeping the car through-traffic separate from cycling traffic.

Sharon Otke May 31 2022 at 7:28PM on page 40

In regards to the proposed central district, I am very concerned that the current residents of the El Rancho motel with have NO place to go. This will be the 3rd or 4th older low income development to be bulldozed for commercial and higher end condos and townhomes. Diversity in our city means including those of all incomes. I realize that there is room in the new plans for "low income housing" but will it be as low as that these individuals currently pay?!! We HAVE to make a safe space for these more vulnerable people in our community. If they will be evicted due to construction, they should be provided housing at no increased rental cost in the interim and have first choice at the low income/non market housing units, AT THEIR CURRENT RENTAL RATE, when the construction is completed.

in reply to Penticton Resident's comment

Anthony Haddad May 31 2022 at 6:57PM on page 6

Hi there, thanks for the comment!

The planning process was funded for the most part by the $75,000 contributed by a developer back in 2010. As a condition of the approval of a development on Riverside Drive, the developer was required to pay these funds to help the eventual planning for the area.

Yes you are correct in terms of the ability for the private sector to move forward with development projects, however as we get further into the technical analysis, we will look at financing opportunities for partnership / phasing of some of the infrastructure upgrades as well.

Regards,

Anthony Haddad
City of Penticton

in reply to Margaret Holm's comment

Marie F. May 31 2022 at 6:40PM on page 25

I Agree, 75 low income homes... where will you expect these families to go?? This whole project would be something if All of this land was Empty to begin with; but it is Not!! To displace all of these families to make Lots of $$$ for some company or the city... this sounds Criminal to me!! This proposed Festival Blvd is the Worst waste of land that I have ever seen. You want people to come to Concerts and Events, but provide Not Nearly enough parking for people. How does that make Any sense??

in reply to Nicholas Vincent's comment

Mr. Jones May 31 2022 at 4:54PM on page 27

Not to be overly negative, but I really don't think it's that simple...

in reply to Neal Lena 's comment

Penticton Resident May 31 2022 at 4:51PM on page 22

Let's define "non-market housing". Are we proposing something like Compass Court on Main Street that basically encourages open drug-use and crime? Complex issue, but yet another BC Housing project would not be a good fit.

Neal Lena May 20 2022 at 11:17PM on page 38

Not a fan. Good idea. Does not make sense.

Neal Lena May 20 2022 at 11:16PM on page 33

What about access for people in wheelchairs and walkers. How do we get round.

Neal Lena May 20 2022 at 11:15PM on page 24

Yes to trees. Thank you!!!!!!!

Neal Lena May 20 2022 at 11:12PM on page 22

Thank you city of Penticton!!!! We both work hard. Have good jobs. Still hard to live here. This means so much to know the city of Penticton cares.

Donald Dunbar May 20 2022 at 10:12PM on page 1

As a new resident of NW Penticton (106 - 201 Wylie Street) I have been upleasantly surprised by the number of speeding and illegally-loud vehicles driving through our neighbourhood. With posted 30 km/hr speed limits completely ignored by many drivers, any traffic plans for the neighbourhood must include effective traffic calming measures.

Ron Jones May 20 2022 at 9:49PM on page 2

Comments
I doubt seriously you will be able to fill in the pond where you wish to make the continuation of Westminster Ave into the Ramada property. No environmentalist would ever approve destroying that habitat.
Secondly the idea of creating a bike/walking path along Hwy 97 bordering the golf course also makes no sense to me. Who wants to walk along a road that’s busy with noisy trucks, motorcycles and cars just feet away. The cost of relocating the golf course fence alone would be prohibitive and money better spent elsewhere.
The traffic issues on Hwy 97 from the bridge to Alberni St is something that badly needs to be addressed. I’m sure Highways does not want another traffic light but somebody has to come up with a long term solution. I believe a light on Comox is the only solution. It could be activated when a car approaches like the one at the Red Wing intersection.
My last comment. The entrance to our city will never be beautiful as long as you run the gamut of billboards on native land for the 1/2 kilometre or so as you enter.
The whole plan obviously has no cooperation with PIB otherwise we would be beautifying both sides of the channel for walking and cycling. The channel from lake to lake could be such an asset if improved. I would be very interested if any discussions have taken place in this regard.

Margaret Holm May 19 2022 at 8:49PM on page 41

In the new multi-family 2-3 story units going up on Riverside, I am not seeing evidence of enhanced greenery and landscaping. Units are very close to the road, offering very little enhancement to the streetscape.

Margaret Holm May 19 2022 at 8:44PM on page 39

This all looks good!

Margaret Holm May 19 2022 at 8:40PM on page 25

Isn't this Burnaby Gardens Mobile Home Park? It would be criminal to lose this low-cost housing property that is home to many seniors.

Margaret Holm May 19 2022 at 8:31PM on page 17

Would have liked to see "Sustainable buildings and landscape" as part of this list.

Nicholas Vincent May 19 2022 at 4:21PM on page 48

There has never been a better opportunity in the history of the human race than this to create a car free zone.
There are three (Eckhardt, Westminster and Riverside) car corridors to access the areas Festival Boulevard traverses.
Please, on my knees, truly consider and fight for Festival Boulevard to be a no car zone.
The summer small business opportunities for cycle taxis, street vendors and other outdoor public art projects are numerous.
Cars and Pedestrians don't mix. A car forced to 20km or less is an impatient grumpy car, a pedestrian told they can meander wherever they want stops looking for cars.

I am very proud of Penticton for producing this proposal, it truly is awesome and I commend every hand that has helped shape it.
Fight for a car fee Festival Boulevard and I truly believe you'll put the City on the map for intelligent and progressive urban design.

Congratulations, this is a truly exciting document!

Nicholas Vincent May 19 2022 at 4:02PM on page 35

Please ensure electric charging infrastructure is properly and deeply implemented.
It is undeniably on a massive growth curve and the next five years will see significantly more demand for charging stations.
There is real revenue and goodwill win here for the municipality.

Nicholas Vincent May 19 2022 at 3:58PM on page 28

I am very excited to see the detail of consideration in 5.4.
Especially 5.4.4 and 5.4.9
Success by Council to catalyze Continuous Usage and Interim Activation of empty lots, I believe, will be a true and worthy measure of success.
Both of these aspects are very much results that come from the successful inclusion of Municipal, Commercial and Residential agendas, so a challenge for sure, but honestly, if I drove into town from Kelowna one day and saw a pop-up park in an empty lot or a pizza place with heated patio seating on a winter evening, it would truly make me smile and love Penticton even more.

Nicholas Vincent May 19 2022 at 3:47PM on page 27

Delighted to see CPTED specifically identified in the plan.
The Placemaking and community diversity in this plan is very encouraging. Great work.

Penticton Resident May 19 2022 at 1:00PM on page 6

This is great and all, but how much has the City spent to date coming up with all this? Ultimately, it will depend on Private investment to build the housing and hotels, conforming to the City's plan and indirectly paying for it with DCC's. May or may not happen.

Penticton Resident May 19 2022 at 12:51PM on page 38

Devoting more land for a new Road, the Festival Boulevard, doesn't make sense. There's already lots of existing Roads in this area.

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North Gateway Draft Plan

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