Future of Kelowna Springs Golf Course property back before council

Photo: Kelowna Springs Golf Course

Kelowna city council is, once again, expected to debate the future land use of Kelowna Springs Golf Course.

At the conclusion of Monday's meeting, Coun. Luke Stack advised council of his intention to bring forward a motion to amend the 2040 Official Community Plan pertaining the future land use of the golf course at 480 Penno Road.

The same motion, brought forward by Stack in August of last year, was defeated when council was deadlocked 4-4.

A tie vote automatically defeats a motion on the table.

"The intent of the bylaw is to amend the official community plan to change the future land use designation of this property from industrial designation to the private recreational designation," said Stack.

"When this motion is reintroduced to council, I will bring forward my comments on the importance of maintaining this property as private recreational use.

"At the time I bring it forward, I will address the issues of quality of life for Kelowna residents, environmental comments related to climate change and natural resources and the economic reasons related to the motion."

There are rules around the reintroduction of items after they have been defeated. Normally, there is a six month waiting period before an item can be reintroduced without changes being made.

City clerk Stephen Fleming says that rule will be addressed within the draft motion next Monday.

Stack says he wants to bring back the bylaw because he believes he has a better chance for a positive outcome with the new council.

He had the support of current councillors Singh, Hodge and DeHart five months ago. With Mayor Tom Dyas indicating his support to save the golf course during the election campaign, Stack may have enough support to at least bring the item to a public hearing.

The future land use for the golf course was changed from private recreational use to industrial as part of the new official community plan at the urging of the present owners of the course who have indicated their desire to sell the property and shut down the golf course.

A change back to a designation of private recreational would not preclude someone from buying the property and seeking to rezone it to recreational.

Kelowna Springs will operate as a golf course for at least one more year.