Council highlights - July 14, 2020

From the July 14, 2020 Regular Council Meeting

Council endorses Subject to Petition Against Initiative for Local Area Service and long-term borrowing for Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant

Council endorsed a process for the City to determine if there is sufficient petition against from Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant (RVWTP) property owners to use long-term borrowing of up to $23.5 million for the plant’s design, construction and financing. This process also establishes the new RVWTP Local Area Service (LAS) that includes the water service areas of Pritchard, Lakeview (local Rose Valley), Sunnyside and West Kelowna Estates. The process will inform Council if there is sufficient petition against long-term borrowing from future RVWTP property owners. This method would require at least 50 per cent of all RVWTP property owners representing at least 50 per cent of the local area service property value to sign and submit the written Petition Against form to the City within the 30-day period. This high-capacity plant will enable the City, as a water service provider, to meet the needs of the growing West Kelowna community for generations to come without high short-term costs. More details are available on the City’s website at westkelownacity.ca/news.

City encourages residents to pay outstanding taxes by September 30 deadline

Staff presented the financial snapshot for the 2020 Tax Season collections. About 80 per cent of property owners have paid their taxes compared to 92 to 95 per cent with an outstanding balance of $11.5 million. The City remains on solid financial ground. Property tax balances and claims for Home Owner Grants are due September 30. A 10 per cent penalty will be applied October 1. An extension of the penalty date from July 3 was in place to help those experiencing financial hardships due to COVID-19.

Council defers 2020 Tax Sale to 2021

Council has deferred the 2020 annual Tax Sale until September 27, 2021. As of June 28, 2020 the delinquent property tax balance was $343,933.16 (including interest of $10,040.08), with an additional amount of $1,011,254.08 arrears and 2020 property taxes owing on these folios. Under Province of BC Ministerial Order No. M159 municipalities have some flexibility in assisting taxpayers facing financial difficulties due to COVID-19.

Mixed-use development proposed for 2417 Apollo Road

Council gave first and second readings and directed staff to schedule a public hearing for a proposed mixed commercial and residential development at 2417 Apollo Road. The application proposes re-zoning the subject property from Single Detached Residential to Urban Centre Commercial to permit a three-storey building with 100 square metres of commercial space at ground level and two storeys of residential above, each with four residential units. The proposal mirrors a recently approved development on adjacent property.

Temporary use permitted at 1698 Ross Road

Council approved a Temporary Use Permit to allow contractor services to operate on a portion of 1698 Ross Road for up to three years. The contractor must limit use to the sale, repair and installation of garage doors, install a solid screen to act as a visual barrier around waste bins, and install and maintain landscaping on the site for the duration of the permit.

Temporary use permit renewed for 760 Petterson Road

Council voted 5-2 to approve the renewal of a Temporary Use Permit for a mobile home at 760 Petterson Road for three years. The property owner must provide the City with a security for the removal or decommissioning of the mobile home upon issuance of a building permit for the planned single detached dwelling on the subject property.

Temporary use permit renewed for 1375 Green Bay Road

Council authorized the extension of a Temporary Use Permit to allow a recreational vehicle to stay on site at Lot 15A at 1375 Green Bay Road until October 31, 2020.