Council Highlights - Jan. 26, 2021

Council Meeting

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Council moves 2021 – 2022 Strategic Priorities forward for public input

Council directed staff to post the 2021 – 2022 Strategic Priorities for public input, in conjunction with the 2021 Budget and 5-Year Financial Plan process which is planned for in Feb.

• Invest in Infrastructure
  • City Hall – design and build
  • Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant – construction underway, oversight and approvals
  • Major roadworks – Transportation Master Plan update; Gellatly/Carrington  Roundabout; Glenrosa Road; Shannon Lake/Stevens/Bartley Roundabout; and sidewalks on Stevens Road from Westlake to Shannon Lake Roads, Westlake Road from Rose Valley Elementary to Parkinson Road, and McIver Road from Glenrosa to McTaggart Roads
  • Fire Hall #32 – design and build
  • Mt. Boucherie Community Centre – community engagement to restore building; Facility Plan
  • Public Works Yard – design and build
• Economic Growth and Prosperity
  • Revisit Westbank Centre Revitalization Plan to promote increased vitality and growth in the City's core
  • Promote efforts to develop a diverse range of housing options throughout the community
  • Develop/implement policies, action plans and initiatives aimed at helping local businesses succeed
  • Initiate the regulation of short-term rentals across the city
  • Communicate the City's expectations for, and give priority to, quality and innovative urban development, including initiating a review of Development Cost Charges
  • Continue economic development advocacy; strengthen partnerships to enhance prosperity; work with Economic Development Commission Task Force and all levels of government
  • Promote continued growth in tourism to West Kelowna and the Greater Westside
• Strengthen our Community
  • Community-building partnerships with Westbank First Nation, local governments and organizations in the region; along with inter-governmental partnerships involving Federal and Provincial agencies
  • Future events and festivals across the community, including in City's parks, Westbank Centre and neighbourhood centres and elsewhere once it is safe to do so
  • Undertake long-term planning initiatives, such as the Community Visioning Exercise, and the broader Official Community Plan initiatives
• Foster Safety and Well-being
  • The integration of the new Urgent and Primary Care Centre into the City's growing network of community health facilities
  • Facilities, services and partnerships with non-profit groups and others to build the community's supply of affordable and attainable housing types, and to reduce homelessness
  • Climate action initiatives, including mitigation and adaption efforts for the City corporation and the community
  • Increase police services, including adding resources required to serve our community
  • Wildfire mitigation and adaptation measures

Council received an update on the accomplishments in 2020 to move the 2020 to 2022 Strategic Priorities forward. View the video and the 2020 Year in Review at westkelownacity.ca/strategicpriorities.

Watch our Year in Review video: youtu.be/6I96XqOU6QA

Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant project update provided

The tender for the primary construction contract closes in February. The Plant is scheduled to be in operation in 2022. Sign up to receive project updates at westkelownacity.ca/subscribe.

City Hall/Library Building design process initiated and partnership established

Council awarded the City Hall Project design contract and established an equity partnership with Okanagan Regional Library (ORL). Johnston Davidson Architecture will work with the City and the Okanagan Regional Library to design West Kelowna’s first City Hall/Library Building. This earmarks the beginning of the City Hall Project’s Preliminary Design Phase, which includes stakeholder and public consultations beginning this spring. For more information, visit westkelownacity.ca/news.

Council presented with 2020 fourth quarter update

Council received an update on departmental accomplishments for the fourth quarter from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2020. To view the reports, see Item 8.1.3 in the Jan. 26 online agenda.

Proposed one-lot subdivision in Lakeview Heights proceeds to public hearing

Council gave first and second readings to a Zoning Bylaw amendment that proposes to amend a portion of a property at 2485 Hayman Road from R1 – Single Detached Residential to RC3 – Single Detached Compact Residential to support one additional lot. Staff will now schedule a future public hearing.

Council considers proposed Shannon Lake condominium and townhouse development

Council gave first reading to Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw amendments for a comprehensive development application that proposes congregate housing, townhouses of up to three-storeys and a four-storey apartment building, with additional greenspace, on two properties at 2749 and 2769 Shannon Lake Road totaling 1.35 hectares. Council directed staff to provide more information on neighbourhood impacts prior to consideration of second reading and scheduling of a public hearing.

Pergolas approved for brewery and café in Lakeview Village

Council supported a development variance to reduce front and side setbacks from 4.5m to 0m to accommodate outdoor dining pergolas at a new brewery and café at 835 and 845 Anders Road.

Carriage houses approved in Glenrosa and Rose Valley/West Kelowna Estates

Council approved a development variance at 3372 Gates Road to permit a carriage house, two-car garage and RV parking building. The variance increases the floor area from 100 sq. m. to 116 sq. m. and raises the height from 5.0m to 6.3m. Council also supported a development variance at 979 Pinewood Place to increase the size of a carriage house from 90 sq. m. to 95 sq. m.

Council receives update on Short Term Rental regulations engagement results

The City received 736 responses to the online Short Term Rental Regulations questionnaire from Nov. 3 to Jan. 3, plus correspondence and phone calls. Staff is using feedback to refine the regulations prior to bringing Zoning Bylaw amendments to Council for first and second readings and a public hearing. Visit westkelownacity.ca/shorttermrentals for more information.

City will apply for COVID-19 Resilience grant programs

Council directed staff to apply to the Investing in Canada COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream seeking 100 per cent funding for active transportation improvements on Stevens Road between Dominion and Westlake Roads and to the Adaptation, Resilience and Disaster Mitigation Stream requesting full funds for Rock Ridge Recovery Phase II.