Water Master Plan Public Outreach Committee Named
Mayor Doug Findlater rose and reported that West Kelowna Council named the following community members to its Water Master Plan Public Outreach Committee:
-  Keith Bepple
-  John Byland
-  Ken Cooper
-  Claude Drought
-  Brian Jamieson
-  Raymond Reilly
The Public Outreach Committee will act as a review panel and sounding board to advise District staff and its consultant on the draft Water Master Plan. The committee is expected to complete its objectives by November 2013. The Water Master Plan is being developed to establish guiding principles for an integrated water utility structure to serve current and future needs and will provide a 20-year implementation strategy that will support one water system, one quality of water and one rate system.

Westside Medical Centre
Council received a presentation from Joanne Konnert, a health services consultant contracted by the District to conduct an assessment of medical services in West Kelowna. The move was prompted by calls from the public for a Westside health facility. The assessment’s findings indicate that visits from Westside residents to the emergency room at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) have dropped since 2008 likely due to increased availability of walk-in clinic access. Interior Health provides a number of services in West Kelowna, but it was discovered that many residents are not aware of these services. Gaps were also identified for basic community services including mental health, addictions and chronic disease management. Konnert indicated that discussion with program leadership at Interior Health (IH) indicates that there is a willingness to work with the District of West Kelowna in providing more service located in the community and to improve communication about existing service. The assessment presented a number of recommendations and Council agreed to:
-  Advocate IH for more services to be located within West Kelowna
-  Work with IH to improve the communication and access to information about existing health programs within West Kelowna
-  Examine future partnership opportunities with IH regarding expanded health services on the Westside
-  Designate District of West Kelowna Inter-Government Liaison to provide information and to facilitate efforts with IH and encourage IH to appoint a similar liaison person
Council further directed that staff bring back Terms of Reference for a Health Care Committee. The full report is available on the District’s website.

Benedick Road
Council agreed to postpone consideration of proposed Zoning Bylaw and Official Community Plan amendments to facilitate a future single family residential subdivision for a 6.1 hectare property in the Casa Loma neighbourhood. Geotechnical reporting indicates a portion of the subject property is affected by a landslide hazard. Staff recommended postponing consideration of the bylaws based on the potential slide hazard and also indicated that concerns were raised by the Regional District of Central Okanagan and residents in the Casa Loma area regarding the proposed drainage plan through Kalamoir Park. Council directed staff to schedule the application for first reading pending receipt of the following:
-  Geotechnical reporting confirming the site is safe for the intended use
-  A revised functional servicing report
-  A revised traffic impact assessment
-  A revised storm water management plan
The applicants will be required to undertake additional geotechnical studies prior to Council consideration. Completion of the full technical review and confirmation that the site can be developed safely will provide more clarity to the District and public regarding safety and park and infrastructure development.

Anders Road Development
Council gave first and second reading to a Zoning Bylaw amendment to rezone property at 852 Anders Road from R3A Multiple Housing (low Density) to R3B Multiple Housing (Medium Density) which would permit a maximum of 24 units as opposed to 12 units. The application does not include redevelopment plans and the applicant does not currently have a specific redevelopment planned. The application will now be scheduled for a public hearing.

Glencoe Road Rezoning Application
Council gave first and second reading to a Zoning Bylaw amendment for 3651 Glencoe Road to allow five agri-tourism campsites and a second residence for a full-time farm worker on the 3.55 hectare property The application will be taken to public hearing once an assessment is prepared that confirms the existing septic fields can accommodate the increased uses on the site.

West Bay Road Rezoning Application
Council gave first and second reading to a Zoning Bylaw amendment to rezone a 1.0 hectare portion of the lake fronting the property at 3750 West Bay Road (Boucherie Beach Resort) from W1 Water Use (Recreational) to W2 Intensive Water Use in order to permit the construction of a private strata marina. As part of the redevelopment proposal approved by Council on May 14, 2013 the applicant intends to construct 35 new cottages, a swimming pool, a 3.0 metre public waterfront walkway and a play area on the upland waterfront portion of the property. The proposed 36-slip marina will provide private strata moorage for the upland Boucherie Beach Resort cottages. The application will be scheduled for a public hearing pending the receipt of a servicing report confirming the proposed marina can be accommodated by existing municipal/private services and an assessment which outlines the potential impacts to adjacent water intake systems.

McDougall Creek Recovery Actions
Council received a report on McDougall Creek recovery actions, including information on an application to the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia’s Flood Protection Program seeking two-thirds funding for mitigation works. These works were recommended after an assessment was conducted following the April 25, 2012 flood event on McDougall Creek. The works are estimated to cost $510,000. If successful, the Federal and Provincial governments will provide one-third each of the funding necessary, with the District of West Kelowna providing the remaining third. Council agreed to update Westside-Kelowna MLA Ben Stewart and Okanagan Coquihalla MP Dan Albas on the need for priority mitigation work along McDougall Creek, downstream of Old Boucherie Road and to seek that the MLA and MP support the District’s application to the Flood Protection Program and lobby for early funding approval to meet the 2013 stream work window for McDougall Creek.

News from © iNFOnews, 2013