Couplet Realignment

Council agreed to discontinue leading the initiative for a two-way conversion of the Highway 97 couplet through Westbank for the foreseeable future and instead will focus on the beautification of Main Street, Brown Road and Elliott Road. Realignment of the couplet has been a strategic priority of West Kelowna Council since incorporation in 2007.

According to a consultant’s study on transportation within in Westbank Centre, the conversion of the two-way couplet is estimated at up to $40 million to accomplish while beautification projects within Westbank Centre are estimated to cost $4.2 million in the West Kelowna Revitalization Plan. Given that the responsibility for the Highway 97 couplet rests with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Council will continue to lobby the Province of BC to improve the Highway 97 couplet to complement the beautification projects initiated by the District. Council further directed staff to engage the public to communicate this revised direction and continue to seek input regarding the vitalization of Westbank Centre.

Draft Zoning Bylaw

Council was provided an update on the review of the Zoning Bylaw, launched last year to implement the objectives of West Kelowna’s Official Community Plan, adopted in July 2011.

The current Zoning Bylaw was inherited from the Regional District of Central Okanagan at time of incorporation and was last substantially reviewed in 2000. A staff committee has reviewed the draft Zoning Bylaw to incorporate zoning related items stemming from the Official Community Plan and other recently-adopted master plans as well as to address any technical issues. The bylaw has been reviewed in context with adjacent jurisdictions to ensure the parameters of the bylaw reflect local standards. 

The first phase of public consultation has been completed with technical referrals to the Advisory Planning Commission and Agricultural Advisory Committee, the Urban Development Institute, home-based business operators and the Special Needs Advisory Council.

The next phase of public consultation is intended to obtain wider feedback on the draft bylaw. The District will seek input from the public via an online survey on its website, www.districtofwestkelownca, and is hosting an Open House regarding the Zoning Bylaw and a number of other initiatives underway on Thursday, June 13, 2013 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Royal LePage Place.

Addition to Reserves – Referral Policy

Council adopted the Addition to Reserves – Referral Policy which will provide a template to process referrals that come to the District of West Kelowna when a parcel of land located within its boundaries is being considered for an addition to reserve. The Federal Land Management Manual requires First Nations and municipalities to negotiate in any or all of the following areas:

-  Joint land use planning/bylaw harmonization
-  Tax considerations
-  Service provision
-  Future dispute resolution

The policy encompasses all District departments and addresses the four areas of negotiation.

Cultural Plan Key Decision Points

Council provided direction on the Cultural Development Plan currently being prepared. Council’s input will be incorporated into the document and a draft will be brought to Council in June 2013. The plan will include proposed recommendations and associated financial or resource requirements for cultural development in the community for the next ten years.

News from © iNFOnews, 2013