Council Highlights - Feb. 27, 2024

Council appointed Councillors Carol Zanon and Tasha Da Silva to the 2024 SILGA and UBCM Resolutions Committee and directed staff to provide support as required.

Staff provided Council and our community with an update on the City Hall Project and outlined next steps. Read the City Hall Project - Update for details.

Council considered feedback from the Draft 2024 Budget and 2022 to 2026 Strategic Priorities – Annual Review 2024 public engagement process held from Jan. 29 to Feb. 9. Council also gave second and third readings to the 2024 to 2028 Financial Plan Bylaw with a proposed tax increase of 6.85 per cent and authorized the amended early capital and operating approval listing.

Council received a provincial legislation changes overview regarding what City of West Kelowna bylaw amendments will be required as a result of Bill 44, which aims to deliver more small-scale, multi-unit, affordable and attainable housing for middle income families, and Bill 46, which provides local governments with new development finance tools to raise revenues to help pay for amenities and infrastructure to support that growth.

Council gave first, second, and third readings to public hearing amendments in the city’s Development Applications Procedures Bylaw to clarify that circumstances now exist, as a result of provincial Bill 44, where Council can no longer, under the Local Government Act, hold a public hearing in specified cases, such as if a Zoning Bylaw amendment application is consistent with the Official Community Plan. Council will consider adoption at a future meeting. However, the bylaw still includes notification requirements and residents can still write Council and staff with comments.

Council gave first, second and third readings to a Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw, to reflect the established 2.0 per cent annual fee increase to subdivision, development and planning fees that ensure consistency with other local governments in our region and sustainable service delivery and cost recovery. Council will consider adoption at a future meeting.

Council gave first and second readings to Zoning Bylaw amendments for short-term rental regulations. Bed and breakfast regulations will be included with those for short-term rentals; however, bed and breakfast regulations will be maintained as they are now, except for fees. The proposed changes will go to public hearing. Council also gave first, second and third readings to related, required bylaw amendments for business licensing, bylaw enforcement, ticketing and fees and charges. Council also agreed to opt out of provincial principal residency requirements for purpose-built tourism and resort commercial developments such as Barona Beach, Boucherie Beach, Paradise Estates, The Cove Lakeside Resort and Casa Loma Resort. Principal residency requirements would still apply to short-term rentals in other zones in the city.

Council supported the Regional District of Central Okanagan applying for, receiving, and managing a grant under the 2024 UBCM Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, seeking Emergency Support Services equipment and training on behalf of the City of West Kelowna and other partners.

Councillor Garrett Millsap introduced a Notice of Motion, which may be scheduled for consideration at a future Regular Council meeting, that staff be directed to bring forward a report with options pertaining to imposing a fee for dryland boat rental, boat club services, boat valet, and personal watercraft rentals that utilize city-operated boat launches for commercial use.