The high density apartment plan approved by Revelstoke city councillors is where they imagine the future of this city.

Councillors unanimously approved the variances in the permits requested by the private developers—Jason Roe, Tyler Delaurier and Fraser Blyth. The 24 unit building planned for 1219 Victoria Rd. W. will have 21 underground parking spots, three above ground and three for guests.

That's one spot per unit, and there will be 36 spots for bike parking underground.

The building plans show rooftop gardens and tiered landscaping coming down onto Victoria Road from the front of the building.

The city's vision for this part of Victoria Road, as laid out in its official plan, is densification through mixed used, multi-unit building complexes.

The city plans to approve high density, multi-unit apartment buildings in this area. Image from the city of Revelstoke council report.

The area is in currently occupied by houses, a 16-bedroom apartment unit and Jacobsen Ford Sales.

"As we evolve as a community and we're trying to increase density, this is a really good example because there's little impact on the community," Coun. Tim Palmer said during Tuesday afternoon's council meeting.

There was grumbling from the visitors chamber as he spoke. One neighbour to the planned apartment, Nadine Cameron who lives at 105 King St., addressed council.

"I'm not against the development itself it's the parking issue."

Parking at the 16 unit apartment building isn't an issue in the summer, Cameron said. But people park in the alley and streets in the winter, and it gets congested.

Councillors agreed that parking will be an issue, but say it's a modern building, and that people have to get used to buildings that allow for less parking spots.

Developer Jason Roe, present at the meeting, agreed that the zoning bylaws for this type of complex are antiquated. They allow too much space for parking, he says.

To fit the space and city's zoning rules, Roe says there can be more units, or more parking—but not both. To Coun. Rob Elliot, approving the variances requested by the developers was a no brainer.

A private developer proposing new, affordable housing units, he said. "It seems to me is something we’ve been begging for.” 

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