A re-zoning application allowing Freedom's Door to build its 49-unit men's recovery residence in Rutland got approval from council Tuesday night.
Roughly 300 people packed City Hall, with 60% of the 60 people who spoke doing so in opposition.
One of those was former Kelowna Rocket Quintin Laing, who says he's terrified of his young sons being in danger.
"Adding a building of this size in such a condensed area, and on a corner that already has a high volume of traffic, is a parent's nightmare," he said.
"I believe your job as council members is to ensure that our children have a safe and positive growing up in the community."
Another constant argument against the building was about the perceived lack of safety for kids who attend nearby schools, which the charity says is something it hasn't had to deal with in its 15 years of existance.
That lead to Freedom's Door co-founder Tom Smithwick spending much of the evening refuting mis-information being spread against the project.
He says he was disappointed to hear opposition from Rutland's Sikh temple.
"The Sikh temple has said they're not in favour of this (being) on the street. I attended a meeting a 12+ years ago, wherein a whole group of people in this neighbourhood were opposed to the Sikh temple. And it was loud and boisterous, and I attended that meeting," he said.
"And you know what the beauty is? The Sikh temple was approved, and the Sikh temple is a very positive part of this neighbourhood."
Another speaking in favour was former John Howard Society Director Shelley Cook, who flashed back to the approval of the Cardington Apartments on St. Paul Street, over a decade ago.
"We're hearing a lot about people who are passionate about the model, just don't like the location. At the height of the fervor around Cardington Apartments, who would have accepted that building in their neighbourhood? Not one neighbourhood would have accepted that building," she said.
"It took the courage of council to stand up for what they saw as right, to make something happen."
Council ended up passing the re-zoning request, with councillor Luke Stack among the votes in favour.
"Expanding affordable, attainable rental housing in Kelowna is one of the main reasons I ran for this council nine years ago. Adding this new rental housing to our community is part of the solution that I've been working for, it is not part of the problem," he said.
"Personally I've been very disappointed to hear the divisive comments tonight. But if you have to push me on one side or the other, I'm on the side that supports this housing in our community."
Meanwhile, councillor Charlie Hodge was one of three votes against the project, which he said was based on its size and location.
But Hodge also opened up about his struggles with addiction earlier in life.
"I have a real love for morphine, and Demerol, and cocaine - I quite like that stuff. But it's not good, and it's not fun," he said.
"So I understand what it's like, and so some of the comments I heard today about addiction and addicts, and what they're at, I kind of take it a little personal. I find it rather offensive. I know what it's like to be on that side and battle back."
Mayor Colin Basran voted in favour, and pointed out the tendency to profile people who we don't understand.
"When someone of colour commits a crime, I don't see them all as criminals. When someone of a particular religion does something I don't agree with, I don't paint them all with the same brush. And I'm not prepared to do the same thing in regards to addicts," he said.
"Because they aren't all criminals, they aren't all rapists, they aren't all murderers. In this particular case, these are people who have taken steps to better their lives, and want to better their lives."
The 49-unit building will be four storeys, and include some ground-floor commercial.
Smithwick says Freedom's Door needs to raise about $3 million more, with hopes to open in 2019.