By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle

Osoyoos Town Council has unanimously approved the issuance of a development permit for the construction of a four-storey mixed use building at 8121 Main Street across from Nestor’s Market. 

A total of 18 residential units will be located above the first-storey, street level commercial units with parking located underground and accessed from the laneway. 

In presenting the report to council, Gina MacKay, the town’s Director of Planning and Development said that although the issuance of development permits are within her delegated authority she was seeing council support prior to issuance of the development permit as the proposed building has the potential “to set the tone for future development in the downtown area.”

She added that the owner – Vancouver-registered Focus Fair Development – was “eager to get going.” 

The proposal meets the current C1 – Downtown Commercial zoning for the two lots with MacKay saying the project “will provide much needed new commercial space and residential units for residents.”

It will also see the two currently empty parcels along Main Street infilled, “improving the quality of the streetscape.” 

The proposed building also meets the architectural guidelines of the town, based on the submission from the developer’s architect,  Kumar Architecture Ltd. 

Exterior design features include grey blue and arctic white cement siding, brick veneer and stone veneer accents, and tempered glass railings for residential balconies.

MacKay noted that there is still a “long list” of items to be completed prior to the issuance of a building permit. And she noted that the issuance of a development permit does not guarantee the proposed development would sail through the building permit process.

Mayor Sue McKortoff asked if the proposal put forward any affordable housing components or rental focus. MacKay indicated the proposal did not include either of those elements.

Going forward from this point MacKay said the task at hand will be monitoringthe development permit and building permit processes to ensure compliance and that the development permit does not lapse.  

The developer has 18 months from the issuance of the development permit to attain a building permit.