Adjusted Park Project Funding Allocation

The Regional Board has approved adding previously approved funding from one Regional Park project to another.  As a result of circumstances beyond its control, the Regional Parks Department is unable to complete $123,600 worth of budgeted work to remove, reconstruct and replace the Cottonwood Bridge over Mission Creek this year.  Instead, the Board supports contributing that money, along with $150,000 from the Federal Government Community Infrastructure Program to replacing sections of the North Breakwater at Okanagan Centre Safe Harbour Regional Park.  The Board also supports allocating $123,600 in its 2014 budget to complete the bridge upgrade project next year.

No Land Swap at Fintry Provincial Park

The Regional Board will not pursue further discussions with BC Parks regarding the possibility of a land swap within Fintry Provincial Park to facilitate possible operation of a historical working farm.  Regional Parks staff has heard from both BC Parks and the Friends of Fintry Society that they would rather investigate heritage and recreational opportunities as possible revenue streams for the park and that the idea of a working farm is not feasible.  Some area residents also objected to the idea of a working farm so close to the camping areas of the Provincial Park. 

Rose Valley Regional Park Road Application

The Regional Board does not support an application to the Province for a road dedication through a northerly portion of the Crown lease in Rose Valley Regional Park.  The applicant has asked the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations to approve the proposal in order to allow a full municipal standard road access from Bear Creek Road through the park to a property on the eastern edge of the park boundary.  Instead, the Board supports the Province issuing a Temporary Use Permit that would only allow personal and private use vehicle access through the park to the private property.

No Support for Renewing Lake Lease Lots

The Regional Board does not support a Front Counter BC referral application to renew an existing Residential-Recreational lease for one lot with one cabin on Browne Lake.  The lake is one of several that supply water to the South East Kelowna Irrigation District. While the .095-hectare property is on Crown land, in the interest of protecting drinking water sources and public health, the Regional District, Okanagan Basin Water Board and other local government jurisdictions have generally not supported the leasing of lots adjacent to reservoir lakes.  The Board wishes to begin discussions with the Provincial Government and other jurisdictions to discuss long term planning regarding tenure and leases on reservoir lakes with the goal of ensuring source drinking water protection and in the interim that the Province not approve any further lease extensions.

Special Events Permit Date Changed

The Regional Board has approved a request from the Kelowna Dirt Bike Club to change the date of one of the events previously approved for its Special Events Permit.  One of the four events for 2013 that was exempt from the Noise Bylaw regulations had been scheduled for September 15th.  Instead, the club is asking for the Special Events Permit to apply to a charity event for October 20th in order to raise funds for the Spinal Cord Injury Society of BC.

August Building Statistics Report

During August, the Regional District approved 11 building permits for construction projects valued at $299,400 in the Central Okanagan East and Central Okanagan West Electoral Areas.  That compares with 8 permits issued during August 2012 for projects worth a total of $227,900. So far this year 103 building permits have been approved for projects worth an estimated $6.2-million.  During the first eight months of 2012, 84 building permits were approved for projects valued at just over $6.2-million.

Former Fire Chief Recognized

The outstanding service and dedication of a former Regional District Fire Chief has been recognized with special award presentations before the Regional Board by Chair Robert Hobson.  Derek Fletcher has received an Exemplary Service Award from the Federal Government for 20 years of service and a Long Service Award from the Provincial Government in recognition of his 25 years of service and commitment to the Wilson’s Landing community.  Fletcher retired as Chief of the Wilson’s Landing Fire Department earlier this year, but continues to serve as its Training Officer.

Regional Board Meetings

Regional District office – 1450 KLO Road, Kelowna (Woodhaven Board Room).  Residents are welcome to attend.

Thursday, October 10th – following 8:30 a.m. Governance and Services Committee meeting
Monday, October 28th – 7 p.m.

News from © iNFOnews, 2013