Regional District Highlights

Joe Rich Alternative Approval Process
The Regional Board has received the declaration of results for the Joe Rich Community Hall Alternative Approval Process. A total of 114 valid signatures were received from electors opposed to the proposed bylaw to establish a service area to fund the operation and maintenance of the Joe Rich Community Hall. The Alternative Approval Process requires at least 10% (75) of eligible electors to sign response forms to prevent the Board from approving the bylaw without first seeking elector support through a referendum.

Westside Official Community Plan Adopted
The Regional Board has adopted the new Westside Official Community Plan (OCP). Bylaw No. 1050 consolidates and replaces the previous OCP bylaws that assisted development decisions in Lakeview and Westbank. The new Westside OCP has been the subject of extensive consultation and public review for more than a year and will guide land use decisions in the Westside Electoral Area from Bear Creek south to the Okanagan Connector.

Zoning Amendment Approved
The Regional Board has approved a Zoning Amendment Application for First Island Financial Services Ltd. The company proposes developing 30 single-family compact housing lots on a portion of its property adjacent to Gellatly Road. The site has been zoned for medium density multiple-family housing.

Development Permit Application Deferred
The Regional Board has deferred a decision on a
Development Permit Application for a one-hectare parcel adjacent to Shannon Heights Place. The applicant proposes a multi-family development of four duplex and three, two-storey fourplex units on the site at the north end of Shannon Lake Golf Course. The applicant has been asked to provide the Board with additional information regarding building heights, the elevation differences with adjoining properties and the impact on neighbourhood views.

Agricultural Plan Contract Awarded
The Regional Board has awarded a contract to Integra/True Consulting Group for $34,930. The company’s bid was one of two qualified proposals received to help the Regional District develop an Agricultural Plan.

All Drywall Banned From Westside Landfill
The Regional Board has approved expanding the ban on gypsum drywall products from the Westside Landfill. While clean drywall has been a mandatory recyclable at both the Westside and Glenmore Landfills for more than a decade, improvements in recycling technology means that all drywall, including material from demolitions can be recycled and is now regularly collected from both landfills in the Central Okanagan. Such material takes up space and can pose an environmental hazard when mixed with moisture and organic materials.

Regional Air Quality Service
The Regional Board will send a letter to the Mayor and Council of Lake Country regarding the air quality service provided by the Regional District. The municipality presently doesn’t contribute funds toward the service and will be asked to reconsider. A report to the Regional Board says in the past year, a growing number of Lake Country residents have requested access to various Regional Air Quality programs such as Cash for Clunkers and Agricultural Wood Waste Chipping.


Proclamations

• The Regional Board has proclaimed the following in the Central Okanagan:
• February 21st to 27th – Rotary Week – marking the 100th anniversary of Rotary International, the world’s oldest voluntary service organization.
• February 21st to 27th – Heritage Week – focuses on the theme “Heritage of Faith: Sacred Buildings and Spiritual Places”.

Next Regional Board Meeting
The next regular meeting of the Regional Board will be Monday February 21st, 2005 at 7:00 pm in the Woodhaven Room at the Regional District office, 1450 KLO Road, Kelowna.

Artists Wanted
Local artists who would like the opportunity to display their artwork on the Regional District Art Wall are asked to contact M. Drouin at 868-5224 for more information.