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Sustainability Checklists
 Commercial or Multi-Unit Developments
Development is an essential part of Kelowna’s future: it defines our environmental landscape as well as influences social well-being, economic strength and cultural vibrancy.
In order to promote sustainable development in the community, the City has developed three sustainability checklists that should accompany Multi-Unit or Commercial development proposals. The checklists address the four pillars of sustainability: economic, environmental, social and cultural.
Sustainability Checklists:
Complete the checklist that corresponds with your development proposal and, if necessary, provide supplemental documentation explaining how the proposed development incorporates sustainability principles. Applicants are encouraged to provide as much information as possible to assist City Council, staff and advisory bodies (Advisory Planning Commission, Community Heritage Commission) in their review of your proposal.
Land Use Management staff will review the completed checklist and amend if required. Any amendments will be discussed with the applicant, if requested.
Objectives
The checklists aim to achieve the following sustainability objectives:
- Ensure efficient use of public funds: mixed use, higher density areas make better use of existing infrastructure, reduce demands for new roads and services, and reduce long term infrastructure maintenance costs;
- Protect open space and natural areas: concentrating growth within existing urban areas minimizes land consumption, protects natural features, preserves wildlife corridors and minimizes environmental impacts;
- Create place: people want to live in neighbourhoods that are lively and attractive live/work/play environments, with adequate amenities while respecting the existing neighbourhood and community character, design and historic features;
- Provide accessibility: compact mixed use development reduces commuting distances and increases transportation choice (e.g. walking, cycling and public transit); mixed use compact development can offer a diversity of amenities to support the needs of all residents in a neighbourhood, such as a daycare, dog parks, shopping, or facilities for disabled people;
- Offer diversity: expanding housing choices for different age groups, income and household sizes allows people to remain in the same neighbourhood through different life stages and discourages out-migration due to affordability issues.
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