City of West Kelowna Council highlights for September 26

Watch Council meetings live and through webcast archives

Council meetings are livestreamed at westkelownacity.ca/webcasts and posted the next day. View Sept. 26’s meeting at: pub-westkelowna.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=72aed2a1-1b14-4c36-b2cf-72d233d1d94b&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation recognized

Council encouraged everyone to recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30 to acknowledge the tragic history of residential schools and to honour survivors and the children who never came home. Ways to recognize the day include wearing an orange shirt, supporting Indigenous art and literature, and reflecting on the history of First Nations, Inuit and Métis and our shared future.

Council acknowledges provincial and partnership support at 2023 UBCM conference

Council had an excellent week at the UBCM conference Sept. 18 to 22 in Vancouver, advocating with Premier David Eby and nine Ministers on key topics requiring increased provincial investments. Council also thanked Westbank First Nation Coun. Jordan Coble, Peachland Mayor Patrick Van Minsel, Regional District of Central Okanagan Chair Loyal Wooldridge and Okanagan Basin Water Board Chair Sue McKortoff for partnering with the City to champion joint causes for our communities.

Police and Peace Officers’ National Memorial Day

Sept. 24 was Police and Peace Officers' National Memorial Day in honor of those killed in the line of duty and in recognition of the sacrifices that officers make in serving and protecting our communities. Council expressed condolences to the family of Ridge Meadows RCMP Const. Rick O'Brien, who was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 22 and thanked all officers who serve in West Kelowna, throughout our region, and across Canada.

Firefighters’ National Memorial Day

Firefighters’ National Memorial Day was Sept. 10. It commemorates those who have died in the line of duty and recognizes the unwavering courage and commitment of firefighters who serve our communities. Council thanked the firefighters who saved West Kelowna and other Central Okanagan communities from the McDougall Creek Wildfire and expressed sympathy to the families of six firefighters who were killed in the line of duty across the province this wildfire season.

YCMA gives presentation

Council heard a presentation from the YMCA of the Southern Interior about the various services they provide to our community.

Council’s 2024 meeting schedule adopted

Council approved the 2024 meeting schedule, which can be found online at: pub-westkelowna.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=13579. Meetings are typically held on the second Tuesday of each month, starting at 1:30 p.m. and the fourth Tuesday, starting at 6 p.m.

State of Local Emergency extended

Council extended the State of Local Emergency for the McDougall Wildfire until Sept. 28. The fire is now held and this is expected to be the final extension for this emergency.

Proposed multifamily development in Shannon Lake reconsidered

Council denied a development permit with variances for a proposed townhouse development at 3401 Sundance Drive. Council invited the developer to work together with staff and consider submitting a new application that more closely aligns with the guidelines in the Official Community Plan Update.

Application extension granted for proposed development in Upper Glenrosa

Council gave a one-year extension to a rezoning application for 3289 and 3290 Glenrosa Road and Salmon Road. Council gave third reading in May 2018 and if adopted, the rezoning could accommodate a mixed-use development of single and multifamily homes. The extension will give the developer more time to assess contributions required for future reservoir construction.

Proposed apartment development in Boucherie Centre/Shannon Lake to go to public hearing

Council gave second reading to proposed rezoning at 2741 Auburn Road that, if adopted, would permit apartment building development above Auburn Road near Const. Neil Bruce Middle School. Council requested developer contributions towards area road improvements prior to considering second reading. Council has directed that a public hearing be scheduled prior to further consideration.

Council permits initial daycare and school submissions to Agricultural Land Commission

Council authorized the City’s Director of Development Approvals to forward to the Agricultural Land Commission non-farm-use applications for school and childcare related uses at Hudson Road Elementary at 1221 Hudson Road, Shannon Lake Elementary at 3044 Sandstone Drive, and Webber Road Elementary at 2829 Inverness Road so long as the proposals continue to comply with the Zoning Bylaw and Official Community Plan and provided that Central Okanagan Public Schools retains ownership of the entire properties.

West Kelowna Estates property added to Rose Valley Water Service Area

Council will permit 1135 Westside Road to be added to the Rose Valley Water Service Area. The westerly portion of the property is the subject of a rezoning application that, if approved, proposes a 19-lot single-family residential strata development. Connections to the water service would be installed at the time of subdivision servicing prior to residential construction.

Council receives update on proposed Shannon Lake Road active transportation improvements

Staff provided Council with a first look at proposed active transportation infrastructure upgrades on Shannon Lake Road, which could include the addition of sidewalks, pedestrian activated crossings and cycling lanes between Westbank First Nation and the Swite Road entrance to Shannon Lake Regional Park. Council will receive a second look with other design options at a future meeting this fall prior to the project being considered as part of 2024 budget deliberations.

Council receives update on City water utilities

Council received an update on the McDougall Creek Wildfire’s impacts on the City’s water utilities including the Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant and the transmission mains. The City anticipates that the plant will be operational later this fall. With the wildfire held, staff can continue to fully determine its impacts. Staff anticipates that a detailed update will be provided at the Oct. 24 Council meeting. 

Request for review of regional emergency plan may be considered

Coun. de Jong presented a Notice of Motion requesting consideration at the Oct. 10 Council meeting as to whether Mayor Milsom should write a letter to the Regional District of Central Okanagan requesting an independent public review regarding the McDougall Creek Wildfire with a focus on Emergency Support Services and the effectiveness of the Regional Emergency Plan.