Council Highlights - July 27, 2021

Mayor thanks wildfire responders and sends condolences and well wishes to evacuees

On behalf of Council, Mayor Milsom expressed heartfelt thanks to all firefighters and those protecting the single BC Hydro transmission line and other infrastructure from the Brenda Creek wildfire. The Mayor thanked West Kelowna Fire Rescue personnel, BC Wildfire Service crews, Westbank First Nation, City of Kelowna, District of Peachland and international firefighters and others from across the province, Emergency Operations Centre staff and regional and local government employees working behind the scenes to protect our community and keep daily operations running smoothly. Hearts go out to the thousands of evacuees from dozens of communities across BC whom have been impacted by this year’s wildfires – and thoughts and prayers are with all the communities who remain evacuated from their homes.

Power redundancy urgently needed

The Brenda Creek wildfire is a critical example of why the City of West Kelowna is strongly advocating for a redundant power line. The current single transmission line serves over 70,000 people across the Greater Westside and in adjacent regional district areas. Having a single transmission line poses significant risks to our communities, and West Kelowna says the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, and BC Hydro must escalate this priority capital project.

Council thanks Canada and BC for Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program grant

The City will extend Shannon Lake active transportation corridor improvements along Stevens Road between Dominion and Westlake Roads, with crews to complete work in 2022, thanks to a federal contribution of $778,488 and $194,622 from the provincial government. Learn more at westkelownacity.ca/news.

Staff provide second quarter updates on achieving Council’s Strategic Priorities objectives

Council’s Strategic Priorities identify 2021 and 2022 goals under four pillars: Invest in Infrastructure, Economic Growth and Prosperity, Strengthening Our Community and Foster Safety and Well-Being. Highlights include record development pace, due to post-pandemic economic recovery, and a paid-on-call firefighter recruitment drive coming soon at westkelownacity.ca/firerescue. Find a full list of quarterly reports by department at Council’s agenda webpage.

Council receives updates on major Investments in Infrastructure

Progress continues on Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant with installation of walls for the reservoir structure and fibre optic cables up next. Keep updated at westkelownacity.ca/rosevalley. Crews will fully open the Carrington-Gellatly roundabout to traffic at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 29. Learn more at westkelownacity.ca/news. Staff will award a $5.2 million contract for Bartley/Shannon Lake/Stevens roundabout construction and active transportation upgrades from McDougall Creek to Westlake Road with work to begin this summer. View the presentation to Council at westkelownacity.ca/webcasts.

Floodplain exemption granted in Raymer neighbourhood

Council authorized hillside and aquatic and sensitive terrestrial ecosystem development permits to demolish a home with a failing foundation at 631 Westside Road and to enable its reconstruction. Council also approved a floodplain exemption, required due to the new home’s proximity to a stream, provided the owner signs an indemnity covenant with the City.

Townhouse development approved in Glenrosa

Council permitted development of 20 townhouses at 3210 Salmon Road. The project will consist of 10, two-storey duplexes.

Smith Creek subdivision development permitted

Development can proceed on a 55-lot single-family subdivision at 2802 Smith Creek Road after Council received assurances that permitted variances between garages and property frontages and sidewalks would not impede pedestrian, cycling and vehicular traffic.

Gellatly South multi-family rezoning proposal proceeds to public hearing

Council gave first and second readings and directed staff to schedule a public hearing for Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw amendments that propose to rezone 3830 Gellatly Road South from single-family residential to low density multi-family. The proponent has not yet submitted conceptual development plans. Council will also seek input from the Agricultural Advisory Committee due to proximity to an active cherry orchard and a proposed winery.

Congregate housing proposal moves closer to adoption

Council gave third reading to a Zoning Bylaw amendment that proposes congregate housing at 2416 Saddleback Way. Prior to adoption, the applicant must agree to contribute funds to future upgrades at the Shannon Lake/Asquith intersection and postpone any development until completed construction of a transit stop on the north side of Asquith Road and related crosswalk improvements.

Development services fees updated

The City has not significantly updated its fees and charges for building, development and planning services since incorporation in 2007. Council gave first, second, and third readings to a Fees and Services Bylaw amendment that, if adopted, would recover costs and ensure Development Services levies are in line with what other municipalities in the region charge. Several new fees would also appear, including a charge for cell tower applications. The schedule would also include annual cost of inflation increases of two per cent.

Fines added to protect sanitary sewer system integrity

Council adopted Sanitary Sewer Use Bylaw and related bylaw enforcement and ticketing amendments to allow staff to impose fines on anyone compromising or damaging the system. To date, staff used education and warnings to seek compliance; however, BC’s Community Charter allows fines of up to $50,000 depending on the seriousness of the infraction.

West Kelowna residents urged to conserve water

Severe drought and heat have affected reservoir levels and the annual snowpack may now not be able to replenish storage this year. Stage 2 Water Restrictions are in effect, meaning even numbered addresses water only Saturdays and Tuesdays and odd numbered addresses on Sundays and Wednesdays from midnight to 6 p.m. for automatic irrigation systems and 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. or 6 p.m. to midnight for manual sprinklers. See a full list of restrictions online at westkelownacity.ca/wateringregulations.

City seeks grant funding for Shannon Lake active transportation infrastructure

Council directed staff to apply to the BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Program seeking funds to construct multi-use pathways around Tallus Ridge Drive from 2750 Shannon Lake Road to Golf Course Drive as part of phased investments to create a continuous link between residents and Westbank Centre, Westbank First Nation and the West Kelowna Business Park.

Council adopts temporary borrowing bylaw for Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant

Council approved temporary borrowing, which allows the City to construct the Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant efficiently. As contractors submit invoices totaling millions of dollars over the course of the project, temporary borrowing allows the City to draw on debt, as needed, to effectively balance cash flows and grant use. When the City completes the project, it will convert to a long-term loan, which, if the project comes in under budget, will save ratepayers money.