Part of downtown Kelowna to be closed to vehicles for summer event

Kelowna council has decided that four full blocks of Bernard Avenue will be closed to traffic this summer.

It will be pedestrian traffic only from St. Paul Street to the foot of Bernard to allow for expanded patios and pop-up businesses as a stimulator for the local economy.

Festivals Kelowna will be part of the planning which is hoped to include things like live music, public art, a mobile visitor centre and games.

The closure is expected to happen between Canada Day and Labour Day.

Other highlights of Kelowna council’s March 15 meeting

Glenmore multifamily

Council considered a rezoning request for a 10-unit row housing development at 888 and 892 Glenmore Drive, just north of Glenmore Elementary School.

The existing home would be demolished, and the lots consolidated for the proposed development.

Council gave first reading to the proposed rezoning and forwarded the project to the April 6 public hearing.

Council priorities

The 2020 results of the progress report on Council Priorities 2019-2022 were endorsed by council.

Of the 39 results, the report shows 27 results are on track, seven results have not seen significant change from last year, and five need improvement.

Annual housing report

Council heard an update around the Annual Housing Report, with information on the 2020 housing market and progress on the Healthy Housing Strategy and Housing Wheelhouse.

The report showed that, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Kelowna had one of the highest growth rates in the country and one of the lowest unemployment rates.

The report illustrates the continued need for market rental and subsidized rental housing to keep pace with the rapid growth.