On Monday, Kelowna City staffers will recommend that Council turn down a hotel proposal in the Kelowna International Airport business park.
The Sandman Hotel would be built at 1915 Pier Mac Way, at the site of the old Pier Mac gravel pit. That location is north of Airport Way which is not where the City’s long-term vision would prefer. “There was a comprehensive Development Zone that was developed for the airport business park years ago. It anticipated hotels on the south side of Airport Way but not the north side,” according to City Planning Manager, Ryan Smith.
The area north of Airport Way is “more intended for light industrial-related uses,” said Smith. “Construction companies, we have a develop permit going forward Tuesday night (for Council approval) for a storage facility, building contractors and business-tech related uses.”
The area south of Airport way does currently have lodgings, with more on the way. Smith said, “The Four Points Sheraton’s in the area to the south now and there’s a second Hampton Hotel that received a development permit a couple years ago too that hasn’t been built yet.”
It’s not the first time the Sandman Hotel plan has come before Council. Council considered the proposal last year but the decision was deferred.