2211 Campbell Road
Council gave first reading to an Official Community Plan (OCP) amendment application for the western portion of 2211 Campbell Road, owned by Solunqua Orchards Ltd., to change the designation from Agricultural to Medium Density Multiple Family. The proposal involves an OCP and Zoning amendment for the 5.9 hectare property to allow multiple family apartment buildings and town homes, a restaurant, a 268 slip commercial marina and a public beach and natural area. This is a preliminary step in the development application process. The eastern portion of the parcel, (restaurant and marina, public areas), is located within the Agricultural Land Reserve. The next steps in the process are:
-  Drafting of a comprehensive development zone
-  Referrals to other government agencies and stakeholders
-  Obtaining approvals from the Agricultural Land Commission
-  Preparation and submission technical studies, including traffic and servicing analysis, environmental impact assessments and geotechnical studies
Once these are complete the application will proceed to Council for first and second reading of the Zoning Bylaw amendment, and second reading of OCP amendment.

Zoning Bylaw Adopted
Council officially adopted the District’s first Zoning Bylaw and associated amendments to the Official Community Plan. The Zoning Bylaw received approval from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure on February 5, 2014, providing the final step in securing the bylaw.  The new Zoning Bylaw replaces the one inherited from the Regional District of Central Okanagan when West Kelowna incorporated in 2007.

Rapid Bus Construction & Servicing Update
Council was provided an update regarding the imminent construction of RapidBus transit exchanges on Elliott Road and Westgate Road (Boucherie Mountain Exchange) and the servicing changes that will result from the full implementation of the RapidBus servicing beginning August 31, 2014. Council was also advised of the traffic management plan for both exchanges which will result in traffic disruption during construction. Construction of the Westbank Centre and Boucherie Mountain exchanges is scheduled to start the last week of February and is expected to be complete by end of July. Elliott Road will be closed for the duration of the construction with a pedestrian access being maintained on the site and with access provided for the District’s Parks Operations building. Neighboring businesses and residents will be contacted and provided with information on the upcoming construction and the traffic management plan. The District will also advise the public of the upcoming construction and detour information.

Draft Water Master Plan
Council directed staff to take the Draft Water Master Plan to a public open house to obtain feedback from residents about the proposed 20-year $77 million capital plan that will impact water rates significantly for most West Kelowna residents. The option being considered involves the following key projects:
-  Treatment plant to meet Provincial Guidelines - $40,600,000
-  Transmission Mains, connect service areas to provide treated water - $3,040,000
-  Pressure Zone Improvements, Improve fire flow and servicing conditions - $3,010,000
-  Storage Improvements, Fire flow improvements, accommodate development, and improve Peak demand supply - $24,880,000
The Draft plan is a comprehensive review of the District’s water utility. It guides the operation, maintenance, upgrading and expansion of the water infrastructure.

Westlake Road Upgrade Communications
Westlake Road Upgrade project, slated for design and construction in 2014, will have significant impact on the travelling public due to road section closures, travel lane restrictions and construction activity. The upgrade will change this rural road with minimal shoulders, overland drainage and no defined pedestrian or cycling passage to an arterial cross section road complete with cycling lanes in each direction, curb, gutter and storm drainage and sidewalks. Construction is expected to take approximately 8 months beginning in May 2014. The public will be advised of the project in the following ways:
-  Direct mail to property owners on Industrial Avenue, Caledonia Way and Sussex Road and connecting local roads
-  Web information on www.districtofwestkelowna.ca
-  Public Service Announcements
-  Newspaper advertisements
-  Social media postings
-  Public Open House
-  Newsletter articles
The District will receive advance notice of traffic disruptions and road section closures and will distribute announcements via its website, e-notification, newspaper and radio advertising and public service announcements throughout the project. Signage will also be placed along the construction route and at important intersections in the industrial area.

Westbank Cemetery
Council gave first three readings to the Westbank Cemetery Bylaw, part of its Westbank Cemetery Strategy. In 2012, Council borrowed from reserves to construct two columbarium and two mausoleum units at the cemetery, a result of interest shown from the public for this service. Construction of the columbarium and mausoleum garden is essentially complete and ready for the public to purchase niches and crypts and the bylaw will establish new rates. The draft bylaw does not increase the rates of current services provided at the Cemetery, but a maintenance fund has been introduced. The proposed new rates for columbarium niches and mausoleum crypts are competitive in the local market; niches range from $2,160 to 2,800 and crypts range from $14,500 to $16,000. A landscaping plan is part of the Cemetery Strategy to improve the cemetery to a park-like setting.

WFN Community Forest – Joint Fire Hazard Mitigation
Council agreed to provide a letter of support for fuel management projects in Rose Valley and Bear Creek Road areas in joint effort with Westbank First Nation – Heartland Economics LP. Council further agreed to contribute staff time and resources of up to $5,000 towards the project. This joint project involves fuel mitigation work in Rose Valley and Bear Creek Road areas. This will in turn help reduce the risk and possible impact of wildfires in these areas. The work will offer Paid on Call firefighters the opportunity to gain experience working in the wildland to clean up and reduce fire hazards. The contribution from Westbank First Nation will be $21,090.

News from © iNFOnews, 2014