Council Highlights - July 26, 2022

Regular Meeting

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

General Local Election Nomination Packages at City Hall

The 2022 General Local Election nomination packages for West Kelowna City Council and School District 23 Board of Education are available through West Kelowna’s Chief Election Officer. On Oct. 15, West Kelowna residents will vote to elect a mayor, six councillors and one school board trustee. For more information, contact the Chief Election Officer by phone at 778-797-2254, in person at City Hall, 2760 Cameron Road or online at westkelownacity.ca/2022election.

Development Variance Permit for 2710 Lakeridge Road

Council approved a Development Variance Permit for 2710 Lakeridge Road to construct a carriage house with multiple variances to the Zoning Bylaw. The application was deferred from the July 12 Council meeting and was brought forward at this meeting after redesigning the above ground deck to address privacy concerns.

Remuneration, Expenses and Benefits for Members of Council Bylaw

Council adopted the Remuneration, Expenses and Benefits for Members of Council Bylaw. The new remuneration will take effect for the next elected Council, starting Jan. 1, 2023.

Amended Council Meeting Schedule

Council gave first, second and third reading to the Council Procedure Amendment Bylaw to adjust the timing of meetings in August and May of each year. Council meetings will be established on the third Tuesday of May (May will have three meetings) and one meeting for the month of August, on the fourth Tuesday. The amended schedule does not reduce the total number of Council meetings allocated for 2022 as an additional meeting was held in May.

Council extends Bylaw Community Support Officer position

Council approved funding for the Bylaw Community Support Officer position from Sept. 1, 2022, to Dec. 31, 2022, for approximately $30,615. The position was grant-funded for one year and additional funding for the remaining four months from September through December of 2022 will be funded from vacancies throughout the City in 2022.

Staff present second quarter update for 2022

Council received the second quarter update of departmental statistics. A detailed report is available online at westkelownacity.ca.

Development Variance Permit for 3285 Vineyard View Drive

Council denied a Development Variance Permit for 3285 Vineyard View Drive to vary a section of the Zoning Bylaw to increase the height of a fence from 1.22 metres to 1.83 metres. The applicant has the opportunity to redesign the fence to comply with the Zoning Bylaw or make a new application in accordance with the Development Application Procedures Bylaw.

Development Variance Permit for 1423 West Kelowna Road

Council approved a Development Variance Permit for 1423 West Kelowna Road to vary the Zoning Bylaw to reduce the front parcel setback from a private access easement from six metres to four metres.

Proposed Telecommunications Facility at 2521 Juliann Road

Council supported TELUS’ proposal to construct a wireless telecommunications facility at 2521 Juliann Road in accordance with plans submitted to the City. The application will now advance through the federal permitting process.

Council adopts Revised Zoning Bylaw and DCC Bylaw update

Council rescinded the third reading of the Zoning Bylaw to correct effective dates and adopted the revised Zoning Bylaw after receiving approval from the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. The new bylaw will streamline development application processing and will come into effect on Aug. 25, 2022.

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs reviewed and approved the Development Cost Charges Bylaw which is scheduled for consideration of adoption at the Aug. 23, 2022 Council meeting. If adopted, the new DCC rates would come into effect immediately for new applications. All interested parties such as the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, Urban Development Institute and residents with in-stream applications need to be received prior to adoption.

Council directs staff to seek grant funding to implement the City’s Asset Management Plan

Council directed staff to apply to the Strategic Priorities Fund to seek 100 per cent of eligible funding for Asset Management Plan Implementation and amend the 2022 to 2026 Financial Plan to reflect any awarded grant contributions.

Wildfire and FireSmart update from the West Kelowna Fire Chief

West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund provided an update on the wildfire situation in West Kelowna. The current fire danger rating is “4 – High” and is anticipated to move to “5 – Extreme” in the coming week. The City and West Kelowna Fire Rescue are advising the public to report smoke and exercise vigilance with campfires, especially as temperatures rise.

Fifteen FireSmart grants have been awarded with 24 more applications under review. We encourage the public to continue to be FireSmart and apply for grants. For tips and how to apply, visit: westkelownacity.ca/firesmart.