Council Highlights - Dec. 8, 2020

Council Meeting

Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020

BC Hydro provides update on reliable power delivery to Westside communities

BC Hydro gave Council an update on efforts to construct a second electrical supply to the City of West Kelowna, District of Peachland and Westbank First Nation. The lead recommendation is a supplemental supply from the Nicola Substation in Merritt, several kilometres north of the existing line. BC Hydro is considering an alternative, connecting a new Westside substation to a FortisBC supply in downtown Kelowna. Design will begin in 2021 and establish the timelines for further consultation and construction.

Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant update provided

The tender for plant instrument and controls closes Friday and the City will award a contract in the New Year. The tender for the primary construction contract will close Jan. 21. The contract for the civil site works is nearing substantial completion. Construction will be completed in 2022. The City of West Kelowna also awarded a contract for design of the Sunnyside and West Kelowna Estates transmission mains to connect those two systems to the plant.

Goats Peak development proposal re-introduced

Council gave first and second readings to Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw amendments for the first phase of the 93-hectare Goats Peak Comprehensive Development Plan, adjacent to Highway 97 and Gellatly Road South. This phase proposes 142 single-family or duplex lots and 42 townhouses. Staff will next schedule a public hearing. The applicant postponed initial plans in 2018 after BC introduced the Speculation and Vacancy Tax.

BC Cannabis Store application denied for Westbank Centre

Council denied a BC Liquor Distribution Branch application for a smaller non-medical cannabis retail store at 2475 Dobbin Road. The provincial government had originally applied for a 650-square-metre building, which would have included a regional training centre.

Seclusion Bay development approved

Council adopted Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw amendments to permit construction of 16 single detached dwellings at 3060 Seclusion Bay Road.

Tallus Ridge multifamily development approved

Council adopted Official Community Plan and Zoning bylaw amendments to permit a townhouse development of approximately 26 units on a currently unaddressed property on Canyon Crest Drive in the southeastern most area of the Tallus Ridge neighbourhood, adjacent to Shannon Lake Road.

Council confirms 10-year Road and Sidewalk DCC program projects

City staff confirmed Council’s priorities for active transportation improvements for the next decade using funds from cost charges on new development. The top roads priorities proposed for 2021 are intersection upgrades at Carrington and Gellatly Roads, and the Shannon Lake/Stevens/Bartley intersection. The top sidewalk priorities proposed for 2021 are McIver Road from McTaggart to Glenrosa Roads and Westlake Road from the existing sidewalk to Parkinson Road by Rose Valley Elementary School. Council gives final approval to projects annually through its budget deliberations.

Council authorizes electric vehicle fast charge station agreement

Council authorized an agreement permitting BC Hydro to operate the electric vehicle fast charge station at 3678 Brown Road.