Witmar Holdings now has 30 days to demolish the building before the City does
Kelowna City Council has voted unanimously in favour of the demolition of the Ponderosa Motel.
Since it stopped operating in 2011, the motel, located off Harvey Avenue, has been a hot spot for criminal activity, such has people living in the building illegally. In total, there have been 110 RCMP complaints,18 visits by City Bylaw officers, and five different fires at the site.
That's without counting the prominent graffiti and out-of-control vegetation surrounding the building.
“In my opinion, this particular property has been a blight on our city for far too long,” says Councillor Luke Stack. “It’s almost like an insult to our city that the owners just leave it the way it is.”
Witmar Holdings, the owner of the property, now has 30 days to demolish the building, otherwise the City will do it themselves, and Witmar Holdings will have to cover the costs.
While Witmar Holdings does have a valid demolition permit, it has yet to use it, and has left an excavator sitting at the site for months.
A recent evaluation of the property showed that it was in such disrepair that it could only be valued at around $100.
