Conceptual performance Developers of a planned 227-unit condominium project on Boynton Place have withdrawn their application after backlash from neighborhood residents. Regina-based Meridian Development was scheduled to appear before city council Tuesday night, seeking approval for both development permits and development variance permits. However, the company withdrew the application earlier in the day, stating its intention to make changes to the project. “At this stage, I’m not sure how much they intend to make changes,” Town Clerk Steven Fleming said in response to questions about the scope of the planned changes. “I think we got 59 or 60 objection letters, so they went through them and decided to rewrite the application and redo the neighborhood, so I imagine it’s going to be a while before it goes back to the council.” The development for sale off Clifton Road at the base of Knox Mountain was proposed to include three three-story buildings containing 74, 76 and 77 apartment units and one and a half levels of parking. The neighborhood pushed back against the project, citing concerns about traffic, parking and loss of green space. Responding to requests for comment from Castanet News, Meridian officials said in an emailed statement that they withdrew the project due to feedback from the neighborhood, but did not say what specific issues led to the decision. “The Meridian team engaged in neighborhood consultation as part of the planning process, but it wasn’t until we were scheduled to go to council that we were able to understand the full extent of our neighbors’ perspectives on the project,” the company said in an email. “We have decided to take some additional time to consider the new comments 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 set 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 range of household types and income levels in one of Kelowna’s core neighbourhoods.” Castanet has contacted a group opposing the development for comment.
