Bears, not deer, most common animal conflict in Peachland

Bear conflict more common

Photo: Unsplash

Peachlanders have more problems with bears than other Central Okanagan residents.

In a presentation to council on Tuesday, Breanna Scott, WildSafeBC’s Central Okanagan co-ordinator, said the majority of calls to the local conservation office from Peachland was to report problems with bears.

In the rest of the Central Okanagan, deer are the No. 1 animal reported to conservation officers.

Between January and October, 75 calls were made from Peachland — 46 calls were “about black bears accessing garbage and fruit trees and breaking up a shed,” Scott said. Twenty-six calls were to complain about deer, two reported something to do with coyotes and one was about a rattlesnake.

In the rest of the region, 1,721 calls were logged. Half of them concerned deer, 37 per cent bears and the rest cougars, coyotes and rattlesnakes.

A big reason bears are such a problem is people put their garbage bins out too early. Bins are only supposed to be put at the curb at 7 a.m. on garbage pickup day.

Two thousand bins were tagged in the Central Okanagan for being put to the curb too early, 215 of them in Peachland, said Scott.

“The effectiveness of the bin tagging was around 74 per cent” in Peachland. On two Peachland routes, 24 and 27 per cent of homeowners were repeat offenders, she said, “which is better than the rest of the Central Okanagan where 39 per cent of residents would repeat.”

Photo: WildSafeBC

Work to start in June on new Peachland childcare centre

Construction to start in June

Photo: District of Peachland

Construction may begin in June on a 104-space child care centre in Peachland.

The municipality last summer received a $12.2-million provincial grant to build the centre near Peachland Elementary School. Council received an update on the project Tuesday.

HCMA Architecture and Design, and TKI Construction have been hired to put the project together.

A site analysis is now underway with detailed designs the next step in the process, Community Services Director Cory Labrecque told council.

BGC Okanagan (formerly the Boys and Girls Club) will operate the centre.

Coun. Terry Condon wanted assurances Peachland won’t be on the hook if the project goes over budget and wanted more information on what conditions were attached to the province’s grant.

“They gave us $12.2 million to get this project done. As far as how we get there, we pretty much have a free hand,” answered Mayor Patrick Van Minsel.

“Cory did exemplary work on this. The numbers that he gave them already take into account the worst-case scenario,” Van Minsel said. “Other child care centres that were built before this had an allocation of $3.5 million to $4.5 million from the province. They went over budget by 100 per cent, up to $9-$10 million. Taking that into account, we asked for $12.2 million.”

Peachland councillors ask RCMP for support in lowering Hwy 97 speed limit

Council wants lower limits

Photo: Colin Dacre

An impromptu attempt to get the new Mountie in charge to support Peachland’s bid for lower speed limits on Highway 97 came up short Tuesday night.

Staff Sgt. Brendan Dolan, officer in charge of the West Kelowna detachment, was giving his first report to council.

Dolan reported the detachment received 351 calls for service in Peachland in the third quarter of the year compared to 295 in the previous quarter and 333 in Quarter 3 last year.

“Nothing really stands out as an area of concern,” he told council. “If anything, there’s been a few areas where statistics have reduced. Motor vehicle offences have risen and I know that’s a concern of mayor and council.”

His brief discussion about traffic enforcement opened the door for councillors to ask Dolan if he supported Peachland’s request to the Ministry of Transportation to lower the speed limit on Highway 97 through the municipality.

“What would be your impression if we said we want 70 kilometres all the way through town,” asked Coun. Keith Thom.

“I’ll be honest with you, I’d have to look at that more, but my first impression on face is slower speed limits are generally safer,” replied Dolan. “But again, I’d want that studied or at least have more empirical data.”

Mayor Patrick Van Minsel noted that 50 per cent of respondents in a citizen survey said they don’t see the RCMP enough in the municipality.

“Perception is reality. If the community is not seeing us enough, then that’s an issue,” Dolan answered. “That’s something I can take back to my detachment and pass on and (you) should be able to see an increase in that.”

Council put off a review of the survey results until next week’s meeting.

Peachland pickleball plans may need to be scaled back

Pickleball plan over budget

Photo: Contributed

Lambly Park

Plans to build four outdoor pickleball courts in Peachland may have to be scaled back.

Council earlier this year budgeted $200,000 to build four pickleball courts in Lambly Park, but heard on Tuesday they may cost more than that.

Community Services Director Cory Labrecque told council consultants have advised planning for $315,000 with a 30 per cent contingency added in.

A pickleball society is trying come up with additional money – and is applying for grants – but has nothing yet to add to the project, council heard.

Mayor Patrick Van Minsel urged council to proceed with a recommendation that Peachland issue a request for proposals for the project. That way, Peachland will find out what the project will really cost, he said.

“This does not make any kind of commitment. It just gives us some pricing opportunities,” explained Coun. Terry Condon.

Council agreed to prepare the RFP but also instructed staff to take a second look at whether Lambly Park, which runs along Highway 97, is the best park for the project.

If the project proceeds, construction wouldn’t start until at least late spring or early summer, Labrecque said.

“The bottom line is the process we’ve chosen, we’re not going to spend more than $200,000. That’s the only money you gave us, so if it comes back we can only build one (court), we’ll come back to council and say we can only build one,” said administrator Joe Creron.

Some councillors noted a recent municipal survey showed pickleball is not a high priority for residents. The survey will be analyzed at next week’s council meeting.

Peachland widow wins ICBC fight for benefits

Widow wins ICBC fight

Photo: The Canadian Press

The Civil Resolution Tribunal was recently tasked with considering whether the Christina Passmore was entitled to accident benefits following a July 19, 2022 motorcycle crash that preceded the death of her husband, Gerald Prins, 11 days later.

A Peachland widow whose husband died after a 2022 motorcycle crash won her claim against ICBC.

The Civil Resolution Tribunal was recently tasked with considering whether Christina Passmore was entitled to accident benefits following a July 19, 2022 motorcycle crash that preceded the death of her husband, Gerald Prins, 11 days later.

ICBC refused to pay out spousal death benefits because, by their view, Prins did not die because of the accident but, rather, an underlying medical condition.

That assertion, however, fell flat when it made its way to Tribunal member Amanda Binnie, due to a lack of evidence.

Passmore swayed Binnie to see her view through evidence submitted by Prins's doctor who said the 77-year-old had been in good physical health at the time of the single vehicle accident that preceded his death.

Dr. Elizabeth Allen said it was “highly likely” that the accident played a role in the fatal venous thromboembolism. She also provided medical literature supporting the position that pulmonary embolism can be caused by both major and minor trauma.

ICBC tried to counter that view by submitting the opinion of internist Dr. Benjamin Wiestra, as well as an on-call coroner consultation from Betty Noble. Noble felt the accident was “unlikely to be causally related to the subsequent pulmonary embolism and cardiac arrest” but her opinion was deemed hearsay, as ICBC provided no statement or opinion directly from her.

ICBC also said that Prins had hypertension, osteoarthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome.

"ICBC does not provide any supporting evidence of whether these conditions would have increased Mr. Prins’ risk of a pulmonary embolism, or whether they did in this specific instance," Binnie said.

"ICBC does not specifically dispute Mr. Prins was an otherwise healthy and active man of his age at the time of the accident."

Ultimately, the Tribunal ruled Prins' cardiac arrest was a result of the motorcycle accident, and ICBC was ordered to calculate the amounts of death benefits for a spouse under the policy and pay Passmore.

According to an obituary, Prins settled in Peachland in 2000 where he shared his love of motorcycling with many good friends. He joined the Peachland Fire Department, where his service and mentorship were valued for 15 years.

Peachland boat launch closing for repairs

Work to close boat launch

Photo: District of Peachland

Peachland’s southern boat launch will be closed next week for repairs.

The launch at T Dock and Doggie Beach will be closed for one week starting on Dec. 2.

“Okanagan Dock and Dive will begin work to replace the non-floating dock and damaged lakebed concrete base,” said the municipality in a statement.

The nearest alternative boat launch is located on Beach Ave across from 8th Street.

The dog park will remain open throughout construction, but users are reminded to use caution near the work zone.

Peachland residents fearful of losing 'small town' vibe

Happy with a 'small town'

Photo: Kathy Michaels

Peachland's waterfront at dusk.

More than one-in-three Peachland residents do not want to see any housing development in their neighbourhood, according to a recent survey of residents.

Peachland council next week will review the results of the 2024 citizen survey, which saw a series of questions mailed out to 1,000 homes in the community. A total of 412 surveys were returned.

A question gauging support for new housing development in respondents' neighbourhoods saw 21% strongly opposed and 16% opposed. 29% were neutral, 19% in favour and 6% strongly in favour.

43% said they felt there were enough housing options in Peachland and 25% said they wished the community would grow at a slower pace or stop growing altogether.

58% felt the community’s population was growing at an appropriate pace, which was 0.7% in 2023.

Overwhelmingly, the most common response to a question asking residents' favourite thing about living in Peachland was “small town.”

The survey found that residents are very satisfied with the municipal waste collection system, fire department, Beach Avenue walkway and public library.

They were most dissatisfied with the state of local sidewalks, transit access, weed control, police and town planning/development.

Over 90% of residents indicate a “very good” or “good” quality of life in the District of Peachland.

While Peachland council will have plenty of feedback to consider in the results of the survey, younger residents and families are underrepresented in the data.

Nearly 80% of survey respondents reported that they were over the age of 55, whereas census data shows that cohort makes up 60% of the population.

Fewer than 10% of respondents reported having children under 19 in their household. Census data shows 30% of Peachland households contain children.

The full results of the survey are here.

Photo: District of Peachland

Responses to the question: "What's your favourite thing about living in Peachland?"

Peachland's Gasthaus comes up with unique way to help the hungry

Giving the gift of food

Photo: Gasthaus

The fireplace at the Gasthaus restaurant in Peachland.

Gasthaus on the Lake in Peachland has finalized its plan to help feed the hungry in the Central Okanagan this holiday season.

From now until Dec. 31, the popular Peachland restaurant is offering a 20 per cent discount on drinks and food in the New Year, with a donation to the Central Okanagan Food Bank.

Restaurant marketing manager Jamie Morgan says if you drop off a non-perishable food donation at one of four locations you will receive a voucher for 20 per cent off your entire bill at the Gasthaus between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28, 2025.

The four locations are:

• Summerland Food Bank and Alliance Church at 14820 Victoria Rd N., Summerland
• Manchester Signs Printing and Graphics at #5, 1718 Byland Rd., West Kelowna,
• The Gasthaus itself, 5790 Beach Ave, Peachland.
• The Kelowna Rockets office at 101-1223 Water St., Kelowna.

Photo: Contributed

Climate action survey launched in Peachland

Climate survey launched

Photo: District of Peachland

A group tasked with developing a climate action plan for Peachland has launched a public survey.

The Climate Action Task Force is asking all Peachland residents to fill out the survey by Dec. 31.

Respondents who provide their email will be entered into a draw to win an emergency kit.

The 10-minute survey asks respondents whether climate change has affected them and what actions (from a checklist) a respondent would be willing to take to prepare for climate change and reduce climate pollution.

The survey also asks what actions the municipality should take.

“We will compile everyone's responses and use them to help us write Peachland's Climate Action Plan,” the task force writes in an introduction to the survey. “We will share a draft of that plan with the residents of Peachland for further feedback before preparing a version to send to Peachland council.”

The task force consists of five members from the public along with Coun. Rick Ingram.

The survey can be accessed here.

Peachland council questions heights, densities of new developments

Council questions density

Photo: District of Peachland

One of two development proposals discussed by Peachland council on Tuesday.

Qualms about building heights and densities in the Princeton Avenue area made for lengthy debates at Peachland council’s regular meeting on Tuesday.

A pair of rezoning applications in the Princeton Avenue area that looked ordinary at first glance took some time to sort out before being advanced on Tuesday.

First and second readings were given to an application for a pair of properties between Princess Street and Highway 97, where a 52-unit townhome project is proposed.

Council also approved third reading for a small property near Turner Park. The plan is to combine the property with larger neighbouring property to build a 38-unit housing development.

Coun. Rick Ingram was in the devil’s advocate role on both matters. He objected to a recommendation that council give three readings to the Princess-Highway 97 rezoning.

“The only real opportunity for council to ask any questions ... is in between second and third reading,” he said, asking that third reading be delayed.

Once council gives third reading, final adoption is still required, but the debating is considered over.

“I don’t know what we accomplish by doing just first and second, versus third, on this one unless you think there’s a whole lot more information you need,” responded Coun. David Collins, reflecting the other point of view.

Ingram wanted assurances building heights wouldn’t affect neighbours’ views, which prompted Mayor Patrick Van Minsel to successfully propose the developer come back in two weeks with a “height plan” before third reading is granted.

Ingram wasn’t the only councillor to have objections. Coun. Terry Condon questioned plans for the developer to pay the municipality in cash instead of building a park.

Administrator Joe Creron responded the money would go into a fund to buy a bigger, better park in the future.

“We do have some plans that we’ll be discussing with council in the near future about buying some parkland and we’ll take the cash in lieu to buy those things,” said Creron. “Sometimes people have these little pocket parks that really don’t add anything to the neighbourhood, but if you take that money and you buy a piece of property, a large piece, you can build a decent park.”

“I hate to tell you, but that strategy hasn’t worked in 25 years for Peachland,” Condon responded.

Access to the development would be off Princess Street. The developer would make improvements to that street, council heard. One property is vacant and the other has a house on it. Combined, they are 0.87 hectares in size.

An objection from Ingram also complicated the rezoning near Turner Park. The councillor said he supported rezoning the 0.34-hectare lot, but he was against an accompanying official community plan amendment.

The OCP change would open the door to a greater density being sought in the future if this proposal didn’t proceed, he said.

Other councillors said Ingram was dealing in “what ifs” and that a future proposal could be turned down.

Coun. Alena Glasman didn’t like the preliminary drawings for the site.

“We see these wonderful lines of sea-can boxes or ticky-tocky boxes or whatever you want to call them,” she said of the plans. “The last thing that we want is a huge eyesore at the top of the hill, that everyone has to go by before they go to this beautiful park that we’ve spent so many thousands of dollars on to build. I want it clarified this, what we see right here, is not what we’re getting. No thanks.”

More detailed plans will come later, she was assured.

In an earlier meeting, Ingram had also proposed a Princeton area-wide zoning amendment to limit building heights and densities.

Council on Tuesday agreed any applications that request the currently allowed higher-density zoning will be deferred until an OCP review next year can consider Ingram’s idea.