Council Highlights - Dec. 9, 2025

Regular Council Meeting

Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025

Date of Issue: Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025

Watch meetings live or through the webcast archive

Council meetings are livestreamed at westkelownacity.ca/webcasts and archived within one business day. Please visit pub-westkelowna.escribemeetings.com to view the Dec. 9 webcast archive.

Butt Road and Old Okanagan Highway intersection improvements completed

Much-needed improvements at Butt Road and Old Okanagan Highway have been finished, on time and on budget, at $4.35 million, and the intersection has re-opened to traffic! Council thanked Westbank First Nation and the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Transit for their contributions, commended staff, contractors and utilities for their great work, and expressed appreciation to motorists, and area residents, and businesses for their patience during the upgrades, which have improved safety, connectivity and traffic flow for our community.

Public invited to Draft 2026 Budget open house

After careful deliberations during last week’s Special Meetings, Council has reduced the net increase in the Draft 2026 Budget from 8.6 to 7.6 per cent. Council also wants input from the public and consultation is open until Dec. 12 at OurWK.ca/2026Budget, with 200 submissions received to date. Residents can also attend a drop-in open house on Dec. 10, from 4 to 7 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Firefighters' 2025 holiday food drive off to an excellent start

West Kelowna Fire Rescue’s Annual Holiday Food Drive got off to a terrific start thanks to overwhelming community generosity during the door-to-door campaign on Dec. 2 and 3. Nearly 14,000 pounds of food and $4,600 in cash were donated. Donations will continue to be accepted with drop-off bins set up until Jan. 4 at Fire Stations in Glenrosa, Lakeview, Rose Valley, and Westbank.

Thanks to our community for supporting Light Up on Brown Road

Our community once again showed incredible support for Light Up on Brown Road, with thousands of smiling faces in attendance as the lights were turned on, fireworks lit up the sky, and the holiday season was officially kicked off. Council thanked residents, businesses, volunteers, vendors, sponsors, on-stage performers, and staff for their continued support of the popular holiday event.

We wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year

The Dec. 9 Council Meeting was the last of 2025 and Council reflected on the year’s many great achievements including the popular, new Pop Ups in the Plaza at City Hall, record attendance at Music in the Park in Memorial Park, and the on-time and on-budget opening of Fire Station 32 in Lakeview Heights. On behalf of all the City of West Kelowna, Council also wished everyone a safe and merry Christmas, all the best of the holiday season, and a Happy New Year.

Brown Road development proposal will receive further consideration at future meetings

Council gave first reading to a Zoning Bylaw amendment for 3898 Brown Road that, if adopted, would change the zoning from RU4 – Rural Residential Large Parcel to Comprehensive Development to facilitate a major mixed-use residential development of 400-plus units in townhomes and/or four-to-six-storey apartment buildings. The project includes commitments for a 150-space daycare facility, more than three hectares of parkland, trail connections, off-site sidewalks and road improvements. Council received 23 submissions and a petition from residents and the applicant will host a Dec. 15 public information meeting and provide a summary report to Council.

2024–2028 and 2025–2029 Financial Plan amendments proceed to adoption

Council gave first, second, and third readings to proposed amendments for the 2024–2028 and 2025–2029 Financial Plans to update the budget schedules and incorporate approved adjustments. The amendments reflect previously endorsed 2024 and 2025 budget resolutions and do not change tax rates, with funding supported through reserves, grants, cash-in-lieu contributions, and Local Area Service parcel taxes.

Council reviews incentive programs to encourage priority housing development

Council reviewed proposed incentives for priority housing, based on staff and consultant recommendations, including policies to expedite development approvals, develop a Development Cost Charge Waiver Bylaw to waive charges for non-market housing, and provide incentives to create or legalize secondary suites and accessory dwelling units. If approved, the City would use the Housing Accelerator Fund grant to help reduce costs, shorten timelines, and improve project viability over the next two years. Staff will return to Council in the New Year with proposed bylaw amendments and/or incentive program approvals.

Pre-Approved Building Plans and Designs Initiative moves forward

Council received an update on the Pre-Approved Building Plans and Designs Initiative, under the Housing Accelerator Fund, which aims to streamline development by introducing development permit exemptions and fast-tracking for building permits under the program. Duplexes and two CMHC Design Catalogue plex designs are proposed to be exempted from development permit processes, through upcoming Official Community Plan amendments.

Proposed Traffic Bylaw amendments would support small-scale multi-unit housing

Council supported proposed amendments to the Traffic Bylaw that, if adopted, would modernize driveway and parking standards for duplexes and townhouses to help facilitate Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH). The amendments would allow a maximum of one, 12-metre driveway, or two, six-metre driveways, and a zero-metre parking buffer to balance safety, on-street parking, and neighbourhood character. Council also gave first, second, and third readings to the amended Traffic Bylaw and respective amendments to the Bylaw Notice Enforcement, Ticket Information Utilization, and Fees and Charges Bylaws.

Council adopts fire rescue and ticketing bylaw amendments

Council adopted amendments to the Fire Rescue Establishment and Operations and Ticket Information Utilization Bylaws to clarify the roles of the Fire Chief and Council oversight, modernize fire service operations and update the fire protection boundary.

Council adopts Water Regulation Amendment Bylaw

Council adopted Water Regulation Bylaw amendments, which updated both the City’s and residents’ water meter requirements and responsibilities.