Regional Board Highlights

Westside Roads Study Adopted

The Regional Board has adopted the Westside Roads Study. During the past year, EBA Consultants Limited conducted an analysis of actual road surface conditions in the Westside Electoral Area and combined that with data collected by the Ministry of Transportation. The study recommends a 20 year budget in order to improve or maintain road surfaces through the Electoral Area. The study has been adopted as Regional District policy and can be used by others to develop cost effective road maintenance and rehabilitation programs that make the best use of available funding. The study has also been made available to the committee studying governance options for the Westside.

Proposed Green Bay Area Resort Rezoning

The Regional Board has given first reading to Official Community Plan and Zoning Amendment bylaws for a development in the Green Bay area. The applicant would like to build 20, three and a half story townhouse units in eight duplex buildings and one four-plex at the Wiig Resort RV and campground. The 1.3-hectare site is part of a larger 4.7-hectare property within the Agricultural Land Reserve. A Public Hearing will be scheduled after the applicant meets a number of conditions including completion of Archaeological and Environmental assessments along with buffering and variance confirmations from the Agricultural Land Commission.

Proposed Strata Subdivision

The Regional Board has given first reading to Official Community Plan and Zoning Amendment bylaws for a proposed strata subdivision. The applicant proposes 13 single-detached lots on a 1.94-hectare property between Boucherie and Green Bay Roads. A Public Hearing will be scheduled after comments are received from the Ministry of Transportation and confirmation is received regarding the supply of water to the proposed development.

Joe Rich Rural Land Use Bylaw Update

The Regional Board has deferred first reading to an update of the Joe Rich Rural Land Use Bylaw. The Board has asked that further public consultation be held and a report made to the Planning and Environment Committee regarding the public process that will be considered to address concerns of the community.

Sewer Servicing Boundary Extended

The Regional Board has authorized the extension of the Regional District Sewer Servicing Strategy boundary to include Pineridge Place. The estimated cost of providing sewers to this topographically challenging area is considerably higher than it is to those properties within the strategy boundary. By extending the boundary to include 25 properties along Pineridge Place, residents will receive the benefits of spreading revenues and expenses for sewer collection over a larger area. Pineridge Place is one of the last areas in downtown Westbank not connected to sewers and at least three septic systems have failed. While detailed design of the proposed sewer system is being completed by Stantec Consulting Inc., a majority of property owners must formally petition the Regional District for the process to proceed.

Public Works/First Responder Position

The Regional Board has approved creation of a one-year term position for the North Westside Road area. The area’s present volunteer Fire Chief will have the opportunity to take on a newly created position of Public Works Assistant/Emergency Service First Responder. While continuing to be available for emergency medical and fire calls in the North Westside Road Fire Protection Area and administration of the department, the position will also provide general labour and maintenance duties for water utilities, bylaw enforcement and some parks maintenance services.

Gellatly Waters Development Permit

The Regional Board has approved a Development Permit for a proposed 97-unit intensive multi-family residential project adjacent to Gellatly Road. The applicant proposes building two, three-storey apartment buildings on a 1.64-hectare property adjacent to the Cove Resort and Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park. A number of conditions must be met before the permit will be issued, including registration of a three-meter Statutory Right of Way for public access to the regional park.

Proposed Lakeview Subdivision

The Regional Board has given first reading to Official Community Plan and Zoning Amendment bylaws for a proposed subdivision in Lakeview Heights. The applicant would like to develop seven, compact housing lots on a .66-hectare property adjacent to Thacker Drive and Kalamoir Regional Park. A Public Hearing will be scheduled after updated information is received.

Joe Rich Rural Land Use Bylaw Update

The Regional Board has deferred first reading to an update of the Joe Rich Rural Land Use Bylaw. The Board has asked that further public consultation be held and a report made to the Planning and Environment Committee regarding the public process that will be considered to address concerns of the community.

Community Wildfire Protection Grant

The Regional District application for a Community Wildfire Protection Planning grant has been approved by the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM). The $14,000 grant represents half the cost of preparing wildfire protection plans for the Wilsons Landing, Joe Rich and Ellison areas. The UBCM is administering the grant program with funding provided by the Ministry of Forests.

Central Kootenay Leaves Insect Program

The Regional Board has received a letter from the Regional District of Central Kootenay advising it intends to withdraw from the Sterile Insect Release (SIR) program. A majority of residents voting in a referendum last month supported the local government discontinuing in the program designed to control coddling moth infestation. It is anticipated a draft settlement agreement will be forwarded for consideration of the remaining SIR program participants with the Central Okanagan, Okanagan Similkameen, North Okanagan and Columbia Shuswap Regional Districts.

Westside Grant-in-Aid

The Regional Board has approved the following Westside Electoral Area Grant-in-Aid: $1,000 - 909 Royal Canadian Air Cadet –Peregrine Squadron for training aids.

Regional Board Meeting

The next scheduled regular meeting of the Regional Board will be Monday, November 20th, 2006 at 7:00 pm in the Woodhaven Room at the Regional District office, 1450 KLO Road, Kelowna.