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WEST KELOWNA - Special Council Meeting February 28, 2017

Secondary Suites & Carriage Houses
Council took part in a workshop to review the effectiveness of secondary suite and carriage house regulations in the community, and provided direction on key decision points. Council first implemented secondary suite regulations in 2010 and allowed carriage homes beginning in 2015.

Council approved the drafting of the following proposed amendments to secondary suite regulations for further consideration:
·         Allow a secondary suite entrance to face the same highway as the principal dwelling entrance provided the suite entrance appears subordinate to the principal entrance.
·         Allow secondary suites in RC3 zones on parcels with a minimum parcel size of 550m2, provided they can meet the suite related requirements outlined in the Zoning Bylaw.
·         Undertake a review of existing Comprehensive Development Zones to determine if suites should be included as a permitted use on parcels with a minimum size of 550 m2, provided that they can meet the suite related requirements outlined in the Zoning Bylaw.

Council approved the drafting of the following proposed amendment to carriage house regulations for further consideration:
·         Reduce the requirement for screening with either landscaping or fencing to only be required adjacent to the carriage house structure amenity and space.

Council approved the drafting of the following proposed amendment to regulations that can apply to both suites and carriage houses for further consideration:
·         Delete the requirement for sign off by all shared access owners, easement holders or strata councils, where applicable, when a secondary suite or carriage house is legalized.

Council will receive information at an upcoming meeting regarding bylaw enforcement considerations. Council directed staff to increase opportunities to educate property owners of the responsibility for legalization and risks of not meeting basic safety requirements related to the operation of secondary suites and carriage houses.

First and second readings of the proposed bylaw amendments are anticipated in early spring with public consultation efforts to follow.

Regular Council Meeting

Majoros Road Apartment Buildings
Council postponed issuing a Development Permit to construct three four-storey apartment buildings with a total of 240 units at 3605, 3615, 3625 and 3635 Majoros Road, as well as the construction of a community amenity building. Council provided input on the proposed development and requested that staff undertake further discussion with the developer on some design elements of the project. As part of the proposed development, the property owner would contribute a $30,000 contribution towards the City’s future amenity improvements in Carate Park. The development would provide one and two bedroom rental apartment units within the Westbank Centre neighbourhood. The proposed amenity building includes a rental office, fireplace lounge, fitness centre, multipurpose great room with kitchenette, a meeting room and two patios. Additional outdoor amenities include a fire pit gathering area, community garden, dog run, bicycle repair station, and two electric vehicle charging stations with a car share program. The proposed development will be brought forward again at a future Council meeting.

Gellatly Bay Growth Management Designation
Council gave first two readings to an Official Community Plan (OCP) Amendment Bylaw to create OCP policy support for the future vision of Gellatly Bay as identified in the 2017 Gellatly Village Study, presented to Council at its meeting January 24, 2017. The bylaw would create a new growth management designation for five properties within the Gellatly Bay area. Amending the OCP to include a Gellatly Village Growth Management Designation will assist in supporting the envisioned future form of development in Gellatly Bay while allowing for flexibility in development applications to respond to the specific market conditions at the time of development. The City’s Waterfront Plan envisions Gellatly Bay to evolve into a small-scale “Waterfront Village” that is a destination point for West Kelowna’s waterfront, containing a range of recreational activities, amenities and services including uses like cafes, restaurants, small boutique shops and local services with housing located above. Council requested extra efforts be made to notify the public and receive input about this proposed bylaw. The bylaw will be scheduled for a public hearing at a future Council meeting.

BC Transit Service Proposed Changes
BC Transit representatives attended the meeting to ask Council for input on proposed changes to the service, which BC Transit then plans to consult the public on. BC Transit provides the service with input from West Kelowna Council and financial contributions from West Kelowna. Council did not make a recommendation on route changes and instead requested more information on proposed route changes. Council agreed to direct staff and BC Transit staff to provide additional information and options on the West Kelowna transit system and postpone public consultation planned for March.

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