Council Highlights - Sep. 29, 2020

Council Meeting

September 29, 2020

Update given on Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant

The City will issue a tender for Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant construction in October. The City will also complete a 750 mm water main tie-in, between the future plant and the Lakeview Water System, starting Oct. 19. Residents can subscribe to receive project updates at westkelownacity.ca/subscribe. A Council Initiative - Subject to Petition Against process also concludes this week. The City is determining if there is sufficient petition against long-term borrowing of up to $23.5 million for plant design, construction and financing. Those in favor do nothing. Those opposed must sign the mailed form and return to City Hall by 4 p.m. Fri. Oct. 2.

Council provides direction on short-term rentals

Council has directed staff to create a proposed framework to regulate short-term rentals and then seek public consultation on the recommendations. The City notifies the public of consultation opportunities via its e-news service. Subscribe at westkelownacity.ca/subscribe. An estimated 378 short-term rentals operate in the City counter to the Zoning Bylaw, compared to 417 hotel, resort and bed and breakfast rooms, which are permitted. Bylaw enforcement of short-term rentals will continue in the interim.

Council defers multi-tenant cannabis production amendment

Council deferred first and second reading of a Zoning Amendment Bylaw that proposes permitting multiple cannabis production tenants in one building. Council requested that staff provide more information at a future meeting. Current zoning dates to 2014, and a number of federal and provincial laws have changed since then, prompting consideration of a review.

Parkland acceptance policy adopted

Council adopted the Park Land Acceptance Policy, which provides criteria for accepting land that the public or developers donate or give as a remnant of subdivision. The land must meet the policies and objectives of the Official Community Plan, Parks Master Plan and other relevant bylaws and be of low risk, hazard, or liability to the City.

Development Services Feedback Survey results presented

The Development Services Department implemented a new initiative in May to ask customers directly how they felt staff was doing in assisting them, keeping communications open, and explaining the policies and regulations, which guide the development processes. To date over 30 customers have submitted responses, with 94 per cent indicating a high level of service satisfaction.

Grant funding sought for sidewalk construction

Council directed staff to apply to the Investing in Canada Program’s COVID-19 Resilience Stream seeking funding for active transportation improvements along the Old Okanagan Highway/Shannon Lake Road/Stevens Road corridor. Active transportation improvements align with Council’s 2020 to 2022 Strategic Priorities, annual Citizens’ Survey results, customer service requests, Roads DCC Program, and the City’s 10-year Capital, Transportation and Pedestrian and Bicycle Plans and would encourage partnership with Westbank First Nation as the improvements would complement infrastructure needs on their lands.