City seeks charging station

Photo: Contributed - BC Hydro

West Kelowna could get an electric car charging station similar to this through a program initiated by BC Hydro.

The District of West Kelowna wants to be the next municipality equipped with an electric car charging station.

City Council Tuesday directed staff to submit a letter of interest to BC Hydro to participate in the proposed BC Hydro Direct Current Fast Charging Station for electric cars.

The municipality was approached by BC Hydro in July to participate in the project.

Hydro has funding for 30 such stations across the province.

In order to participate, the District would have to propose three potential sites for BC Hydro to consider.

The fast charging stations allow a vehicle to charge in approximately 30 minutes instead of several hours at a regular 120 volt station.

BC Hydro is looking for a commitment of two to five years from host communities.

BC Hydro will cover all installation and commissioning costs associated with the project, with the District responsible for $1,000/year in operating cost.

Also from the West Kelowna Aug 12 council meeting:

Local State of Emergency

Council endorsed the Local State of Emergency that was enacted August 7 in response to the Drought Hill forest fire. The Local State of Emergency was required to facilitate the emergency response and coordinate the evacuation of one property threatened by the fire.

Strategic Priorities Second Quarter Update

Council received information on the activities in the second quarter (April to June) in support of Council’s Strategic Priorities. Highlights include:

• Completion of McDougall Creek Flood Mitigation Project
• Gellatly Road slope failure emergency response, Local State of Emergency
• Hosting of Developer’s Roundtable, Breakfast with Business and Your Community Open House
• Grand Opening of CNR Wharf Park upgrade
• Pritchard Park enhancements complete
• Brown Road Revitalization project complete
• Tourism website launched; Visitors’ Guide completed
• Launch of Westside Farm Loop and Studio Tour guides
• Casa Loma drainage improvements, Phase 2, complete
• Columbaria and mausoleums installed at Westbank Cemetery
• Glenrosa traffic calming meeting held
• RapidBus transit exchanges construction 90% complete
• Preparation for November 15, 2014 Local General Election

Brown Road Rezoning

Council gave third reading to a zoning amendment for 3788-3790 and 2992 Brown Road to amend the zoning of the properties to Urban Centre Commercial Zone. The properties, located approximately 200 metres south of Dobbin Road, are currently zoned duplex Residential and Single Detached Residential. The zoning request is consistent with the District’s Official Community Plan and the Westbank Centre Revitalization Plan.

Hillside Development Permit – Sageview Road

Council approved the Hillside Development Permit to facilitate the construction of five single family residential lots within Phase 10 of the Smith Creek Hills development, located at the end of Sageview Road.

Neighbour’s Pub Rooftop Patio

Council provided a recommendation of support to the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch for the requested Approval in Principle for an occupancy load increase for Neighbour’s Pub in Shannon Lake. The request for an additional 114 seats stems from a proposed addition of a roof-top patio at the pub and the conversion of an office space into an events room. Council discussed concerns related to additional parking that could be generated with the expansion, but agreed to provide approval in principle with the understanding that the applicant would need to address parking concerns.

Westbank Centre – Gellatly Road Corridor Study

Council will not be considering a proposed Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) exclusion for 3853 Brown Road after the applicant has chosen not to proceed with the application. But Council agreed to investigate the opportunity for a Westbank Centre – Gellalty Road corridor through the subject property. In 2003, the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) supported an exclusion of the property from the ALR once a proposed road alignment through the property was finalized and dedicated. Since then, the property has seen a number of different Official Community Plan designations applied to it. The applicant wishes to work with the District to address the requirements of the 2003 ALC decision. Council agreed to close the file on the ALR exclusion application and directed staff to bring forward the Westbank Centre – Gellatly Road Corridor Study for consideration during the 2015 budget deliberations.

Glen Canyon Park Management

Council approved the Glen Canyon Park Joint Management and Regulation Agreement with the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) for a term of five years. A property adjacent to Glen Canyon Regional Park was donated to the District in 2013 by the developer for use as passive parkland. As a result of the proximity to the regional park, and in the spirit of partnership and operational efficiencies, staff recommended RDCO be given permission to operate the park. The District of West Kelowna will retain ownership of the park, while the RDCO is authorized to construct a trailhead and parking area adjacent to Gellatly Road, construct a new trail within the park, install joint jurisdiction signage at the trailhead and parking area and maintain the park.

Water Utility Master Plan

Council agreed to defer consideration of adoption of its Water Utility Master Plan until after the District’s new General Manager of Engineering and Public Works has a chance to review the document. The start date of the new General Manager has not been determined yet.