Kelowna

The following are highlights from the Regional Board meeting held Monday, April 26, 2010.

Investigative Aggregate Application - The Regional Board does not support a referral application from the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources for an exploratory permit to investigate the potential for establishing a rock quarry. Board concerns include potential environmental impacts, water protection and the possible visual impact on nearby Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park. The investigative work would take place on a property located in the Central Okanagan East Electoral Area along the south slopes adjacent to the Gillard Forest Service Road and anticipates the removal of 10,000 tonnes of material by the end of September 2011. The Board asks that should the Ministry approve a permit, the applicant be required to ensure the protection of nearby Bellevue Creek and the site be reclaimed. As well, the Board asks that the Regional District be allowed to comment further if a rock quarry is feasible for the location.

North Westside Official Community Plan - The Regional Board has given first reading to proposed revisions to the North Westside Official Community Plan (OCP) which will be renamed the Rural Westside Official Community Plan. A Public Hearing will be advertised and scheduled once Regional District staff have received comments from referral agencies and completed a Greenhouse Gas Emission Strategy and included related policy statements in the proposed bylaw update. The proposed OCP will include the Crystal Resort area as well as the area from Trader’s Cove to the northern Regional District boundary. The proposed OCP includes new Sensitive Terrestrial, Hillside and Wildfire Environmental Development Permit Guidelines and ensure existing Aquatic Development Permit Guidelines are consistent with other Official Community Plans in the Regional District.

Agricultural Land Reserve Application - The Regional Board has given its support to a subdivision application made to the Agricultural Land Commission for a parcel located in Ellison. The proponent wishes to subdivide a 5.34-hectare property along Fathers Place in the Central Okanagan East Electoral Area into two lots. The proposed subdivision is in keeping with the property zoning designation in the Ellison Official Community Plan and the Regional District Agricultural Plan.

Regional Parks Ownership - The Regional Board has agreed to maintain ownership of two regional parks located within the District of West Kelowna. Titles to the Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park and Gellatly Heritage Regional Park will remain vested in the name of the Regional District of Central Okanagan. The District of West Kelowna Council requested the Board consider transferring ownership of the parks to the municipality in light of partial contributions made toward the properties by ratepayers residing within the former Westside Electoral Area and now within the new municipal boundary.

Anti-Idling and Air Quality Initiatives - The Regional Board has asked staff to provide information on anti-idling policies of Central Okanagan local governments to the Okanagan-Similkameen Airshed Coalition. As well, staff will prepare a report for consideration of the Governance and Services Committee regarding a proposed anti-idling campaign for the Central Okanagan. The Board also supports efforts of the Airshed Coalition to seek outside funding sources in order to update public information pamphlets on chipping and air quality.

March Building Statistics - During March, the Inspections Section approved 16 building permits for projects worth $1,159,145 in the Central Okanagan East and Central Okanagan West Electoral Areas. During the first three months of 2010, a total of 33 building permits were issued for construction projects in the electoral areas totalling just over $2.7-million.

Christmas Office Closure - The Regional Board has approved a one week closure of the Regional District offices between Christmas and New Years. Several local governments close their offices during this period each year as they find there is reduced demand for service. This year Regional District offices will be closed from Monday, December 27th to Friday, December 31st.

Next Regional Board Meeting - The next regular meeting of the Regional Board will be Monday, May 17th, 2010 at 7:00 pm in the Woodhaven Room at the Regional District office, 1450 KLO Road, Kelowna. Residents are welcome to attend.

Governance and Services Meeting - The Governance and Services Committee will meet Thursday, May 6th, 2010 at 8:30 am in the Woodhaven Board Room at the Regional District office, 1450 KLO Road, Kelowna. Residents are welcome to attend.