Council Highlights - Nov. 23, 2021

Council expressed condolences to Abbotsford, Merritt, Princeton, Pemberton and many other BC communities recovering from floods and other effects of mid-November’s severe storm. Sympathies go out to those who have lost loved ones, pets, livestock, homes and business and to those who remain evacuated. Council thanked staff who are assisting with emergency recovery in Merritt and Abbotsford and to City crews who helped maintain services during a storm-related power outage in our community. Council also thanked the community for their patience as BC Hydro restored power and to those who have donated to recovery efforts.

West Kelowna will kick off the festive season with two holiday traditions. Light Up will be held on Brown Road on Dec. 3 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with the lights being switched on a 6 p.m. The free, family-friendly event will offer fun “flow-through” activities along the route and community groups will hand out warm drinks. Masks are recommended. Then, weather permitting, starting at 8:30 p.m., the City will also hold a high-altitude fireworks show, visible from areas surrounding Westbank Centre. To keep the holiday spirit going, the Twinkle Tour will run from Dec. 1 until Jan. 3. Visit ourwk.ca/twinkletour to submit your own home to the tour map. You can also download the map from the webpage to take the self-guided tour, which will include many decorated City locations.

Early budget indicators project a four per cent tax increase. Estimated policing cost increases of 19 per cent would account for 2.4 per cent and the remaining 1.6 per cent would support the City’s continuing investments in infrastructure. Council will begin budget deliberations Dec. 7 and 8, with public consultations to follow early in the New Year. Sign up at westkelownacity.ca/subscribe to stay up to date on 2022 Budget deliberations and consultations.

Following a public hearing, Council gave third reading and adoption to a Zoning Bylaw amendment to permit a subdivision at 2082 Shannon Ridge Drive. The rezoning, from Single Detached to Compact Single Detached Residential, aligns with the Official Community Plan and neighbourhood character.

Council authorized a development variance to permit two metal containers, for personal storage uses, at 3237 Carre Road. Council cited favourable factors such as the property’s larger size and unobtrusive placement away from public roads and neighbours’ views.

Council gave first and second readings to a Zoning Bylaw amendment that proposes construction of live/work units at 3595 Elliott Road, while maintaining the property’s neighbourhood commercial zoning. The bylaw includes increased requirements to reflect the parking demand in the area. If adopted, items such as building type, landscaping, parking layout and height would be evaluated prior to any development permit being issued. Council directed staff to schedule a public hearing for a future meeting.

Council was saddened to hear of the passing of Rodney Ward, who served as a local BC Ambulance Service Paramedic for 32 years and a Paid-on-call Firefighter in our community from 1981 to 1991. Council has accepted a Ward family bequest, which West Kelowna Fire Rescue will gratefully use to purchase firefighter safety and training equipment.

Council received the 2021 Year in Review, which highlights the City’s achievements in advancing Council’s Strategic Priorities objectives. Major milestones have included construction on Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant, Council’s top infrastructure priority, completion of the Gellatly/Carrington Roundabout, the opening of a new, enhanced Skatepark, suppression of the Mt. Law Wildfire, protection of the community’s only transmission line from the Brenda Creek Wildfire and, coming soon, the return of Mt. Boucherie Community Centre to the Greater Westside. View the 2021 Year in Review document and video at westkelownacity.ca/councilpriorities.

Tell us what you think. Council requests community input on the initiatives detailed under their four 2022 Strategic Priorities pillars, which are Invest in Infrastructure, Economic Growth and Prosperity, Strengthen Our Community and Foster Safety and Well-Being. Learn more at westkelownacity.ca/mayorandcouncil.