Central Okanagan

The following are highlights from the Regional District of Central Okanagan board meeting held Monday, July 23, 2012.

New Water System Borrowing Bylaw - The Regional Board has approved a Security Issuing Bylaw in order to borrow $4,902,846 to finance the newly completed Upper Fintry, Shalal Road, Valley of the Sun water system.   Owners of 56 of 336 parcels that are served by the system have prepaid the $17,230 cost of construction while the remainder will finance their share over 30 years through financing provided by the Municipal Finance Authority.

Gas Tax Funding For Water System Upgrade - The Regional Board has authorized spending Canada-BC Community Works Funds – Gas Tax Program funds to purchase and install important monitoring equipment for the newest water system in the Regional District.  $26,500 will be used for an additional equipment to ensure consistent remote monitoring of the works for the Upper Fintry, Shalal Road and Valley of the Sun water system.

Regional Growth Strategy Discussion Papers - The Regional Board has received updated information on the process of developing a new Regional Growth Strategy.  Six new detailed discussion papers have been prepared that will be used this fall for input from the public, stakeholders and elected officials.  The papers present information on:  Economic Development, Environmental Protection, Housing, Parks and Open Spaces, Transportation and Mobility and Water Resources, Lakes and Streams.  They are available for viewing at the Regional District office and on the Regional Growth Strategy website www.futureok.ca.

Horseback Tours Referral Application - The Regional Board has given conditional support to a referral application from FrontCounter BC for a Licence of Occupation to permit guided horseback tours.  The applicant proposes the tours on new and existing trails on approximately 16.81-hectares of Crown land in the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area and District of West Kelowna near Jackpine Lake, Lambly Lake and Trepanier Provincial Park.  The Board asks that before any Provincial approval is given the applicant meet a number of conditions such as obtaining a business licence, developing a detailed management plan and that no motorized vehicles be allowed on designated trails.

Rock Quarry Expansion Referral Application - The Regional Board has given conditional support to an application made to FrontCounter BC for expansion of an existing rock quarry adjacent to Chute Lake Road.  The applicant has been working the three hectare site on Crown land since April 2007 and wants permission to add 3.65-hectares to the operation during the next phase of expansion to be completed by 2017 with two further expansions for a total of 9.59-hectares over the next ten years.  The Board has asked the Province to consider approving only the Phase 2 expansion and that a number of environmental areas be addressed before issuing an updated Licence of Occupation.

June Building Statistics - During June, Development Services approved 19 building permits for a construction projects valued at $1,201,000 in the Central Okanagan East and Central Okanagan West Electoral Areas.  That compares with 13 permits issued in June 2011 for projects valued at $1,139,000. So far this year, 57 permits have been approved for construction projects valued at $4.5-million.  During the first six months of last year, 76 construction projects received permits in the two electoral areas for a total value of just over $6.2-million.

Regional Board Meetings - Regional District office at 1450 KLO Road, Kelowna (Woodhaven Board Room).  Residents are welcome to attend.

• Monday, August 20th – 7:00 pm
• Thursday, September 6th – following 8:30 am Governance and Services Committee meeting