I wish to share the following press release from our office, which is self-explanatory:
"A recent discovery of an endangered ecosystem, located within the District of Lake Country was made to the surprise of many. Mike Kamann of Interior Reclamation (ILR) came across the ecosystem while collecting native plant seeds for their nursery.Antelope Brush ecosystems were even rare when the Okanagan Valley was first settled in the early 1800's, and have declined as the area has grown over the past century. Primarily located in Osoyoos and Oliver area, the presence of this ecosystem so far north is rare. Ministry of Environment fact sheets indicate that grassland ecosystems cover only 0.3% of the low, southern elevations of the Province. Of this, the antelope brush ecosystem accounts for only 0.2% of the total, or less than 5,000 hectares. This ecosystem is also home to 22% of all endangered and threatened vertebrates.The biggest threat to this ecosystem is urban development.
When District staff were made aware of this find in an undeveloped phase of 'The Lakes' neighbourhood, a review of historical permits, environmental impact, assessments and mapping was conducted right away. As a part of their parkland dedication, this area will be protected, ensuring the long term viability of this endangered ecosystem."This is a valuable opportunity to not only protect an endangered ecosystem but to highlight the importance of a good working partnership between the District and a development company." says District of Lake Country Mayor, James Baker.Don Erdely, with Okanagan Land Development Corporation, agrees with Mayor Baker, "it has always been our intent to work with the District and to wherever possible provide benefits, such as parks or conservation areas, to the citizens of Lake Country. The fact that a rare ecosystem is present within this area, makes this partnership that much more satisfying."
The District of Lake Country seeks to incorporate a low impact trail system in this area and hopes to use this opportunity
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Lake Country and Senior Housing
One of the things that has become apparent to me is that Lake Country does not have sufficient senior housing to accommodate the increasing senior population. Well, obviously there is no easy answer to this and certainly costs and economic conditions are still not conducive to varied development.
So I was pleased to see an article in the Vancouver Sun yesterday about an initiative from the provincial government to ship modular homes built by BC manufacturers to 11 communities in BC, and Lake Country is one of them.
The units will be rented out to seniors and people with disabilities in Creston, Pemberton, Port McNeill, Prince Rupert, Qualicum Beach, Keremeos, Lumby, Naramata, New Hazelton, Terrace, and our own Lake Country. The cost of this initiative to the Province will be a total of $15.5 million, which amounts to 358 units in total. The federal government is also a funding partner.
The modules will be 600 square feet, single storey, one bedroom houses and they will be built with seniors and people with disabilities in mind with wide, lever-handle doors for wheelchair access, lower light switches, showers with sit-down areas and grab-bars in the bathrooms. Modular houses are more affordable because building identical units in a factory assembly line cuts cuts production costs and time.
Rent will either be set at 30 per cent of income, or at a low flat rate. All the units are being built with 100 per cent BC mountain pine beetle affected wood, which, if unused, would certainly be left to rot.
The Lake Country project is overseen by the Society of Hope, which is working on the expansion of Cedar Court, an existing senior housing park next to Municipal Hall. Staff and the Society of Hope are working together to speed the approval process and accommodate the units.
Good news for Lake Country!
adf
So I was pleased to see an article in the Vancouver Sun yesterday about an initiative from the provincial government to ship modular homes built by BC manufacturers to 11 communities in BC, and Lake Country is one of them.
The units will be rented out to seniors and people with disabilities in Creston, Pemberton, Port McNeill, Prince Rupert, Qualicum Beach, Keremeos, Lumby, Naramata, New Hazelton, Terrace, and our own Lake Country. The cost of this initiative to the Province will be a total of $15.5 million, which amounts to 358 units in total. The federal government is also a funding partner.
The modules will be 600 square feet, single storey, one bedroom houses and they will be built with seniors and people with disabilities in mind with wide, lever-handle doors for wheelchair access, lower light switches, showers with sit-down areas and grab-bars in the bathrooms. Modular houses are more affordable because building identical units in a factory assembly line cuts cuts production costs and time.
Rent will either be set at 30 per cent of income, or at a low flat rate. All the units are being built with 100 per cent BC mountain pine beetle affected wood, which, if unused, would certainly be left to rot.
The Lake Country project is overseen by the Society of Hope, which is working on the expansion of Cedar Court, an existing senior housing park next to Municipal Hall. Staff and the Society of Hope are working together to speed the approval process and accommodate the units.
Good news for Lake Country!
adf
Thinking Foward
After being incorporated, the District of Lake Country has grown by leaps and bounds but also with pain. Today the District is ready to advance in all aspects of its business and services, and to take a more central role for its citizens.
In order to achieve the best for its citizens, the District needs to select and work on priorities and organize itself from a corporate perspective.
Council and staff met under the experienced guide of Gordon McIntosh, President and CEO of the Local Government Institute, and have identified many projects they wish to accomplish for the sake of the community. More important, they were able to select 5 immediate priorities and a number of subsequent tasks they need to work on before the end of this term.
The new strategy has been named "Thinking Forward" and the Annual Report contains a message from me to the community about the new approach to business our local government is taking.
The 5 priorities are:
* the completion of the Water Master Plan
* the creation of an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan
* the creation of a Community Brand
* the creation of an Active Transportation Plan
* the development of the Town Centre
To complement the five main priorities, Council and staff have identified a number of other concurrent projects that need to be done as well. For instance, it is necessary to create a Corporate Business Plan reflecting the connection between the priorities, the budget, and the current and future levels of service. Another task is to work closely with our select and standing committees, such as the Access and Mobility Committee and the newly created Economic Planning and Development Committee, for instance, to make their input more valuable from a strategic and advisory perspective.
The good thing about all this, is that Council and staff have become more aware of each other and that they are prepared to collaborate on a positive culture change for Lake Country.
I believe our community is ready to embrace positive change and to move a step forward, to be more mature about the complexities of life and its quality for the benefit of all citizens. I also believe Lake Country is ready to be positioned in a more relevant way, not only in the Okanagan and BC, but also as a beacon of quality at the national and international levels.
adf
In order to achieve the best for its citizens, the District needs to select and work on priorities and organize itself from a corporate perspective.
Council and staff met under the experienced guide of Gordon McIntosh, President and CEO of the Local Government Institute, and have identified many projects they wish to accomplish for the sake of the community. More important, they were able to select 5 immediate priorities and a number of subsequent tasks they need to work on before the end of this term.
The new strategy has been named "Thinking Forward" and the Annual Report contains a message from me to the community about the new approach to business our local government is taking.
The 5 priorities are:
* the completion of the Water Master Plan
* the creation of an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan
* the creation of a Community Brand
* the creation of an Active Transportation Plan
* the development of the Town Centre
To complement the five main priorities, Council and staff have identified a number of other concurrent projects that need to be done as well. For instance, it is necessary to create a Corporate Business Plan reflecting the connection between the priorities, the budget, and the current and future levels of service. Another task is to work closely with our select and standing committees, such as the Access and Mobility Committee and the newly created Economic Planning and Development Committee, for instance, to make their input more valuable from a strategic and advisory perspective.
The good thing about all this, is that Council and staff have become more aware of each other and that they are prepared to collaborate on a positive culture change for Lake Country.
I believe our community is ready to embrace positive change and to move a step forward, to be more mature about the complexities of life and its quality for the benefit of all citizens. I also believe Lake Country is ready to be positioned in a more relevant way, not only in the Okanagan and BC, but also as a beacon of quality at the national and international levels.
adf
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