Westcorp seeks new permit

Alberta-based Westcorp hopes to come before city council again soon to kick-start development of a 33-storey waterfront hotel-condo.

Westcorp has resubmitted applications for development and development variance permits in order to allow construction to begin, potentially later this year.

The necessary development permits were approved by city council in February of 2020, however plans to begin construction later that year were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The permits expired last month.

The most recent application says the actual design of the hotel has not changed from what was approved 8-1 by council on Feb. 4, 2020.

Plans still call for a restaurant to occupy the 18th floor, with hotel rooms below and for sale condos above.

This is the fourth time Westcorp will come before council seeking the necessary development permits.

Original permits issued in 2014 were for a 24-storey hotel, however, those plans changed, requiring a second application, which was approved in February of 2018.

They returned to council in 2020 after those permits also lapsed.

Heavy equipment showed up late last month to begin preliminary site work.