Wedge-shaped building pared-down in redesign

The design for a building on a triangular shaped lot in downtown Kelowna has been pared down.

Initially pitched for the corner of Water Street and Leon Avenue was a thin, six-floor building with a ground level café or restaurant, upper floor offices, and a rooftop patio.

But new plans submitted to city hall this week show a two-storey brick structure.

The developers are also applying to have the number of parking spaces required reduced to zero from two. More than required bike stalls are proposed. The builders also want to reduce the amount of commercial space along Water Street from 90 per cent to 84.

The development has made headlines in years past, as the parking reduction requests drew the ire of neighbours who said the developers were getting preferential treatment.

Several variances were approved by lawmakers in 2020 to accommodate the former design. But construction never started, and the site was listed for sale earlier this year.

The plans still need scrutiny from bureaucrats before going to city council for the nod of approval.