A public hearing on a major housing development in West Kelowna had a rough start on Tuesday (Feb. 25) night.

The audience initially struggled to hear the presentation about 117 townhouses and duplex units planned for 2971 Gorman Road. City staff members and the project applicant乌鸦传媒檚 representative were asked to speak up several times by Mayor Gord Milsom.

Council took questions from residents in attendance and over the phone, including one man who called in although he was at the hearing乌鸦传媒攃ausing some confusion.

乌鸦传媒淵ou乌鸦传媒檙e the caller?乌鸦传媒� Milsom asked, before instructing the man to come to the microphone. The man continued speaking from the back of the council chambers until the audience applauded and encouraged him to step forward.

乌鸦传媒淭here is no need for clapping,乌鸦传媒� Milsom said. 乌鸦传媒淲e want to make sure everyone is comfortable addressing council.乌鸦传媒�

Citing a lack of infrastructure in the area, Glenrosa resident Bill Vassar said the development was nonsense.

乌鸦传媒淥ur water sucks out here, we have no sidewalks, we pay, pay, pay, pay taxes乌鸦传媒攆or what? And this clown comes in to do this big build? No, no, I乌鸦传媒檓 not going for it. And we乌鸦传媒檙e not going for it.乌鸦传媒�

Gilles Rouleau went door-to-door, speaking with his neighbours and gathering signatures on a petition opposing the project.

乌鸦传媒淚f this development moves forward, we fear our community will lose its peaceful, rural feel,乌鸦传媒� he said.

Several speakers voiced concerns about the lack of a secondary route in case of emergencies such as a wildfire, additional pressure on the storm and sanitary sewers and the power grid, a lack of amenities, and insufficient public transit.

乌鸦传媒淚f you downsize, I think it will be a lot more acceptable than what you乌鸦传媒檙e considering now,乌鸦传媒� said resident Rick Scofield, who told council that taxpayers have had enough. 乌鸦传媒淲e乌鸦传媒檙e not getting our money乌鸦传媒檚 worth. The salaries that are being paid for 40,000 people are insane乌鸦传媒攜ou乌鸦传媒檙e not worth it.乌鸦传媒�

Two people spoke in favour of the project.

乌鸦传媒淒evelopers have been stonewalled for far too long, I think. We乌鸦传媒檝e got to open it up,乌鸦传媒� said James McGill.

Resident Bobby Jones said the development would support economic and job growth, improve infrastructure, and provide new amenities. 乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 also gonna strengthen our community.乌鸦传媒�

Travis Tournier, the development manager for the project, told the hearing that the project proposes homes starting under $600,000.

乌鸦传媒淲e hope that the multi-million-dollar storm sewer upgrade and the acceleration of the Glenrosa corridor study will help alleviate two of council乌鸦传媒檚 biggest concerns and bring support to this application, ultimately providing more affordable homes to West Kelowna.乌鸦传媒�

A staff report indicated that other developments in Glenrosa, at various stages of planning, could add up to 1,400 units to the neighbourhood over the next several years.

Council voted to deny property rezoning to allow the project to move forward, with Councillor Jason Friesen and Mayor Milsom opposed.

乌鸦传媒淭hroughout our community, we just don乌鸦传媒檛 have enough townhouses and duplexes,乌鸦传媒� Milsom said. 乌鸦传媒淭hey could provide more affordable housing for lower-income families and seniors. There乌鸦传媒檚 a need there.乌鸦传媒�

The developer can apply for rezoning again in six months.