City staff is voicing concerns over the towering hotel proposed for Kelowna’s downtown waterfront.

Kelowna city planners have recommended council not approve the proposal for Westcorp Projects’ 33 storey hotel and luxury condo tower.

Click here to read at city staff's report.

Photo Credit: City of Kelowna.

“The proposal’s overall size, height and massing are overwhelming for the subject property and its unique downtown context,” states a staff report to council.

"By virtue of the size and prominence, the proposed building may impact the qualities that some people value in the surrounding public spaces."

Photo Credit: City of Kelowna.

Council had previously supported Westcorp’s application for a 26 storey hotel but that development permit has expired.

Westcorp's revised proposal is nearly 50 metres taller, including 174 hotel rooms, 40 condo residences and would be the city’s tallest structure at 131 metres.

The Official Community Plan calls for a height limit of 19 storeys in the area, which is well below the hotel's proposed height of 33 storeys.

Photo Credit: City of Kelowna.

"In addition to creating shadowing impacts on these lower-scale spaces, the proposal's build form may create an overpowering visual presence lacking the sensitivity and integration that development of the subject property needs," states the report.

The project site sits in extremely close proximity to several prominent downtown sites, including Kerry and Stuart parks, The Sails, Bernard Avenue, Okanagan Lake and City Hall.

Photo Credit: City of Kelowna.

The developments redesigned proposal will go in front of council on Feb 20.

Watch KelownaNow's exclusive interview with Gail Temple of Westcorp below.