West Kelowna

Rural RCMP Detachment Building - The Regional Board has approved a Development Permit Application for the proposed RCMP Rural Detachment building on the Westside. The 2,148 square metre facility will have two stories, a secure compound and public parking on a 1.14-hectare property that was purchased by the Regional District along Pamela Road. The existing building housing the Westbank and District Chamber of Commerce will remain on the property. The Board also affirmed OMICRON Limited as construction manager of the project as well OMICRON will put out tenders for construction of the new $8.1 million RCMP building.

Auburn Road Multi-family Rezoning - The Regional Board has given first reading to a rezoning application for a proposed ‘resort-style’ multi-family residential development adjacent to Auburn Road. The applicant wants to develop 220-units in three terraced apartment buildings along with a two-storey private recreational amenity facility on the 12.5-hectare hillside property. A Public Hearing will be scheduled and advertised for a future date.

Elector Assent Sought On North Westside - The Regional Board has approved the use of the Alternative Approval Process to gain elector assent for establishing a Service Area to provide an annual grant to the North Westside Communities Association for the operation and maintenance of the Killiney Beach Community Hall, adjacent library and supporting lands. The proposed grant would be raised through a tax requisition of five cents per $1,000 assessed value for properties within the North Westside Road Fire Protection District. Elector Response Forms will be available from 8:00 am Monday, September 24th to 4:00 pm Wednesday, October 31st. At least 10% of the estimated 2,099 eligible electors must sign and return forms to require the Regional Board to hold a referendum before adopting the necessary bylaws establishing the new Service Area.

Westbank Multi-family Rezoning - The Regional Board has given first reading to rezoning application for a 1.92-hectare property adjacent to Elliot and Brown Roads in the Westbank Town Centre area. The applicant proposes developing a total of 205-units in four, four storey apartment buildings. A Public Hearing will be scheduled and advertised for a future date.

Community Works Fund Recommendations - The Regional Board has supported recommendations from the Westside Issues Committee regarding the allocation of Community Works Funds for projects on the Westside. The geo-thermal heating project for Royal LePage Place will be completed at a cost of $750,000 while the remaining $250,000 will be forwarded to the new Westside District Municipality along with reports and plans for the proposed Gellatly Loop road and trail upgrade.

July Building Statistics - In July, the Regional District approved 99 building permits for construction projects in the Westside and Central Okanagan East Electoral Areas totalling over $15.7 million. That compares with 100 permits approved during the same month last year for projects valued at $7.8 million. In the first seven months of 2007, 700 permits have been issued for projects worth more than $121.5 million. From January through July last year, 703 permits were approved for construction with a combined total of over $84.1 million.

Regional Hospital Board Spending Approved - The Regional Hospital Board has approved nine bylaws to spend over $2.3 million to help purchase medical equipment, fund the Community Ambulatory Care/Diabetes Clinic and upgrade the Data Centre at Kelowna General Hospital. Interior Health says the data centre upgrade will cost more than $2.6 million while the Ambulatory Care/Diabetes Clinic will cost $1 million. Interior Health will contribute 60% of the funds while the Regional Hospital District will fund up to 40% of the cost of major capital and medical equipment purchases for the Central Okanagan.

Next Regional Board Meeting - The next scheduled regular meeting of the Regional Board will be Monday, September 10, 2007 at 7:00 pm in the Woodhaven Room at the Regional District office, 1450 KLO Road, Kelowna.