Ask West Kelowna
Back to SearchTuesday, Dec. 12, 2023
Draft 2024 Budget deliberations begin
Regular Council Meeting
Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023
Watch Council meetings live or view the webcast archive
Council meetings are livestreamed at westkelownacity.ca/webcasts. The webcast is archived the next business day. Find the Dec. 12 agenda and archive at pub-westkelowna.escribemeetings.com.
Council encourages public participation in Emergency Support Services modernization project
B.C.'s Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Ministry is seeking to modernize Emergency Support Services (ESS) to ensure more timely access and better supports for those in need during emergencies, such as wildfires. West Kelowna Council had requested in-person engagement, but is asking those directly affected during the McDougall Creek Wildfire to ensure they provide their feedback using the online resources that the province is making available at this time, by sharing their input regarding their ESS experience via email to essmodernization@gov.bc.ca by Dec. 31.
Happy holidays from the City of West Kelowna
With the Dec. 12 meeting being the last before the end of the year, Council wished everyone an enjoyable and safe holiday season and a happy New Year. Council also thanked the community for their participation in meetings and events during 2023, noting that public engagement is key in helping to shape our City. Council also thanked all firefighters, emergency responders and City staff for their hard work throughout the year, particularly during the McDougall Creek Wildfire and recovery.
Participate in 2023 Twinkle Tour and annual holiday food drive
Council thanked Recreation and Culture staff for holding another successful Light Up event on Dec. 1 with thousands turning out to kick off the holiday season. Council also thanked Parks, Facilities and Public Works staff who created the spectacular light displays on Brown Road for Light Up and at other locations around the City. Our community is also encouraged to participate in the annual Twinkle Tour with winners being announced Dec. 19. Learn more and find a map at OurWK.ca/twinkletour. While on the tour, or out and about in the City during the holidays, please also support West Kelowna Fire Rescue’s 26th Annual Food Drive, if you can, by leaving a non-perishable donation at any one of the four fire halls.
Staff. Sgt. Duncan Dixon recognized
Council recognized and thanked Staff. Sgt. Duncan Dixon, as the officer in charge of the West Kelowna RCMP Detachment for many of the past 15 years, for his outstanding dedication and integrity in serving our community. Dixon has been assigned to a new role at the Southeast District of E Division where he will help all detachments in the region with emergency management. Council wished Dixon success in his new role. Council also thanked Dixon for his many years of service in our community as a volunteer and coach with various organizations including minor hockey, minor basketball, and ringette.
Year in Review
Council received the 2023 Year in Review, which can be found online. As the City continues to move forward with vibrant and well-balanced community growth, the review highlights some of Council’s core accomplishments and reflects on what has been an exceptional year on several fronts, including operations commencing at the Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant and our community’s recovery from the devastating impacts of the McDougall Creek Wildfire.
Council receives Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant update
Staff confirmed that Phase 2 connections to the Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant (RVWTP) are on schedule, with users to receive clean, safe, and reliable water prior to the end of December. The West Kelowna Estates System is confirmed to be receiving water that exceeds provincial and federal standards as of Dec. 12. The Sunnyside/Pritchard System is expected to be confirmed within another week, subject to final testing, which is now underway. Users will also receive more information from the City via a letter to be mailed directly to them, once all residents in Phase 2 are confirmed to be on the RVWTP service. Get a sneak peek inside the plant by clicking the video link below and learn more about RVWTP at westkelownacity.ca/rvwtp.
Council receives update on City Hall/Library Building project
Staff informed Council that West Kelowna’s first purpose-built City Hall/Library Building, at 3731 Old Okanagan Highway, remains on track with the target of reaching substantial completion in mid-February. Significant progress has been made since the last update on Nov. 14, including BC Hydro having now provided power to the site and construction expected to continue steadily for the next several weeks, including evenings and weekends, except for four days over Christmas. In the New Year, staff will provide more information on how services will be phased over to the new City Hall to centralize operations with as little impact to customers as possible. Learn more at westkelownacity.ca/cityhallproject.
Mount Boucherie Community Centre update
An update on options for Council’s consideration to convert the Mt. Boucherie Community Centre back to recreational, cultural, and childcare uses has been deferred to the Jan. 23 meeting to give staff more time to explore additional grant funding, programming, and facility options.
Next steps taken in creation of West Kelowna Economic Development CorporationCouncil authorized staff to proceed with the next steps required to incorporate the West Kelowna Economic Development Corporation. Coun. Tasha Da Silva and Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Trevor Seibel were appointed as the first directors who will serve on an interim basis to facilitate the necessary incorporation processes, including working with a consultant to create the required policies and procedures, and establish the first board and reporting structure. They will also work with the board to hire their first Chief Executive Officer to run the corporation’s day-to-day operations.
Short Term Accommodation regulations being revised
Council deferred first and second readings of Zoning and other bylaw amendments aimed at updating Short Term Accommodation Regulations, that would align them with new provincial laws and revise application procedures, operational requirements, fee structures and offence ticketing. Other simultaneous updates would also occur to the Business Licensing and Regulations, Ticket Information Utilization, Bylaw Notice Enforcement and Fees and Charges Bylaws. Under incoming provincial regulations, only an owner-operated short-term rental will be permitted, on an owner-occupied property, in a single-detached dwelling.
Zoning Bylaw amendment in West Kelowna Estates adopted
Council gave third reading and adoption to a Zoning Bylaw amendment at 1018 West Kelowna Road to permit construction of a modular carriage house in a single-family, detached residential zone on a parcel less than 1,100 square metres.
Public hearing to be held regarding mobile home park rezoning proposal
Council gave first and second readings and directed staff to schedule a public hearing for a proposed Zoning Bylaw amendment that, if adopted, would change the zoning at 2355 Marshall Road from Manufactured Home Park to Light Industrial. The mobile home park consists of 27 manufactured home pads and one house.
Zoning amendment proposed in the Bear Creek/Westside Road neighbourhood
Council gave first and second readings to a Zoning Bylaw amendment that, if adopted, would rezone the upper 1.78 hectares of a 23-hectare property at 1179 Westside Road from Agricultural to Single Detached Residential to subdivide the applicable section into 15 lots.
First Corporate Climate Action Plan supported
Council endorsed the City’s first Corporate Climate Action Plan. Read the plan online at pub-westkelowna.escribemeetings.com/filestream.
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