The second phase of the Ambrosia housing project will be going before Keremeos' Village Council on Nov. 4 for a variance permit.
The project, which is set to add another 24 units of housing downtown, is requesting for the required number of parking, loading and visitor spaces to be cut down.
The request is to cut the required number of parking spaces from 35 to 20, the number of loading spaces from two to zero, and the number of visitor spaces from five to one.
To support the request, the Lower Similkameen Community Services Society stated that many amenities are located right next door to the neighbouring Buy-Low Foods and that many of the occupants are likely to be seniors who rely on other transportation options like scooters rather than private vehicles.
The units as a whole are designated as affordable rental housing for people with generally lower income, which also reduces the likelihood that they will own vehicles.
Lastly, the LSCSS pointed to 10 currently unused parking spaces at the adjacent first phase of Ambrosia that could be shared with the second phase units.
The report from village staff noted that Keremeos' rural nature could increase the odds of occupants requiring a vehicle to maintain employment outside the community and that any support staff such as caregivers or social workers would need spaces to park.
