The El Rancho Motel in Penticton is home to nearly 100 low-income residents but potential redevelopment has been looming over the property for years.
WATCH: The Penticton Chamber is calling for more affordable housing solutions as dozens of low-income residents could be displaced by redevelopment.The Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce is calling for more housing solutions as dozens of low-income residents could be displaced by redevelopment.
Penticton City Council voted last week to restore the original zoning at the El Rancho property along Westminster Avenue West to allow a strata hotel. “I’ve lived here for four years now all together and every year since I’ve been here, they’ve said they are going to rip it down, tear it down,” said El Rancho Motel resident Nora Campbell.Re-development highlights need for more affordable housingHowever, new provincial short-term rental regulations forced the property’s owner to change plans. At this time, the owner requested the property be rezoned back to tourist-commercial, with a site-specific allowance for long-term residential use.
“What we’re finding is that, because Penticton was forced to get rid of approximately half of their short-term rentals with the new regulations, all that demand is now shifting back to commercial accommodators, primarily hotels,” said Penticton Chamber Executive Director Michael Magnusson.Magnusson says although the Chamber is on board with the development it has significant concerns about the displacement of the current residents.The Chamber sent a letter to the Ministry of Housing and B.C.
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