Saturday, April 30, 2011

Growth Is a Process

I realize I have not written on this blog since March 31st. Reyna Seabrook, our Communication Officer, has kept everybody updated with Council meeting highlights, though, and for this I am thankful. Reyna is an excellent communicator and assistant and is engaged in a variety of activities within the District, including involvement in Economic Development, First Nations, and Corporate Planning. She is preparing the District's Annual Report, which is due by June 30th, according to legislation.

The reason I have not written much recently is that I have been busy on a professional and personal level, and while this is not the venue for personal bragging, I am happy to report that I have just purchased a new home in the beautiful and serene Sageglen neighbourhood. Not all work is completed yet, but certainly we feel more and more at home in beautiful Lake Country. However, it is my busy life at work that I wish to talk about.

The focus of this month has been threefold: economic development and tourism, social development, and organizational excellence. Today I wish to ponder out loud on the meaning of growth and progress in a local government environment, but more importantly, in our community.

One of the areas we have been proactively focussing on in the last year is economic development. Much has happened in a year but in a nutshell we are trying to accomplish three main objectives and goals: a) full recognition of the name and brand of Lake Country (now that we have a brand); b) full development of the Town Centre; and c) streamlining of all development processes and procedures in order to attract good investment in town.

The brand work and recognition of the name Lake Country in its own right is beginning to bring fruits to the community. The new logo and tagline have been praised by many and are beginning to make an impact in many places. For instance, specialized in business and tourism publications have noticed the new logo and have given us space at a reduced rate to tell the story and the beauty of Lake Country. A marketing firm from Vancouver has given us free banner stands in exchange for the use of our logo as an example of successful branding in their marketing efforts (visit their website to see what I mean: it's very nice). The 2011 Lake Country Community Guide was the first local publication to use our logo on its cover, and its story on building Main Street captures the full vision of what we are trying to accomplish. We just entered into an agreement with the Chamber of Commerce for the distribution of the logo to its members for marketing purposes. And finally, we are working on a virtual community portal to showcase Lake Country to the world. Those are few examples of what is happening with the brand and I wish to take this opportunity to thank all those who have participated in the vision of creating a brand and to our staff, which is "making it happen".

But branding has a meaning only if it is associated to concrete results. Main Street, or what we at the District call the Town Centre, is the main focus of our efforts, although, in general, we are working on attracting investors in all areas identified as growth areas in our new Official Community Plan. First of all, we have taken a more proactive approach in engaging the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission. This is a regional function that all of us, as taxpayers, contribute to. I had meetings with Robert Fine, its Executive Director, and we are enjoying some results. For instance, we sent Mark Koch, our Manager of Development Services and Economic Development Officer, to the Hotel Association Conference in order to find leads for a first class accommodation on Lake Country's Main Street. There are a couple of leads now on which Mark is working. Through the Commission, we were put in touch with a company wishing to relocate to Lake Country. This company, which is already in the Okanagan, employees 65 people and they are looking at Lake Country for its quality of life and potential. But the best news of all is that we have just issued a Development Permit for the construction of a branch of the Toronto Dominion Bank on Main Street. It took a few months and a few meetings, a bit of lobbying and a bit of bragging, and a bit of vision by all involved, from Council to staff, from the Developer to TD Bank (the client), but now we can say that the first development on Main Street is happening and we will have a branch of the TD Bank in Lake Country by the Spring of 2012. Finally, there are other active commercial and residential rezoning and development applications and in the next few weeks we hope to finalize them, and next week I have another meeting on a potential proposal for Main Street again.

However, I believe that the most critical piece of this flurry of activities will have to be the streamlining of all development processes and procedures in order to attract good investment in town. I heard too many times that Lake Country is not open for business because our development times and costs are too cumbersome and too high. I do not believe so as I compare to Kelowna and Vernon, but we can certainly improve it and become more competitive and be the leading 'Open for Business' community in the Central Okanagan. We have begun the process by eliminating some procedures, which were approved by Council at the last Council meeting. This will shorten somewhat the process to a more reasonable time. However, I am going to propose Council that we form a Streamlining Task Force with the participation of the business and development community, to review all of the bylaws affecting development and create the edge of competitiveness we are looking for.

I could go on and on, but the final thought I have in all of this is: it takes time for these things to happen (and a bit of vision). But I believe that we are on the right track and that in a not too distant future we will see the full ripened fruits of our labour. Stick with us and you shall see.

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Wednesday, April 20, 2011

April 19th Council Meeting Highlights

REGISTER YOUR EXISTING SUITE BY APRIL 29TH!
If you have an existing secondary suite in your residence you can come in and complete an application form to register your suite with no application fee before April 29th.  An existing secondary suite is a suite that was built before April 9, 2009. If you complete the registration and file it with the Development Services Department before April 29th you will pay no application fee and will only be required to ensure that your suite meets the basic health and safety standards which include having windows with an unobstructed opening in sleeping areas, hard wired smoke alarms and a fire extinguisher.  All suites in Lake Country must be registered!  Call or email the Development Services, Building Inspections Department at 250-766-6675 if you have any questions!  Application for Existing Suites

REMOVAL OF THE BUNDLED PROCESS FROM DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS PROCEDURES BYLAW
Council gave 3 readings to Development Applications Procedures Amendment Bylaw 786, 2011 which removes the ‘Bundled Process’ option from the bylaw.   The ‘Bundled Process’ combined all review and approval steps into a single comprehensive package in order to expedite approvals in the community.  Expediting the approvals process is always a double‐edged sword. On the one hand, a faster approvals process can save time and money for developers in the community. But on the other hand, expediting the process can curtail opportunities for Council, staff and the residents of the community to have an influence and role in the process. The ‘Bundled Process’ has only been used twice in District history, with mixed results. The removal of the bundled process does not signal an end to the District’s efforts to work towards expediting approvals processes. Even without the bundled process many options exist to expedite development where appropriate.

TEMPORARY COMMERCIAL PERMIT EXTENSION
Council approved a 1-year extension of a Temporary Commercial Permit (TC2010-001) for a lawyer’s office located at 10026 Hwy 97.  D. Oscar Barnes operated a lawyer’s office at the residence and when the operation became too large to be considered a home based business, Mr. Barnes was granted a 1-year temporary commercial permit. Extension of the temporary commercial permit will allow the business to continue to operate and an application to rezone the property to commercial use is likely within this period.  The 1-year extension will expire May 11, 2012.

PRESENTATION ON WWW.OUROKANAGAN.CA
Leigha Horsfield, Employment Counsellor for Community Futures, did a presentation for Council on their community website OurOkanagan.ca.  Our Okanagan is an online tool developed to address challenges identified by Community Futures and Okanagan Partnership and to connect those looking for a local product or service with those that can provide them.  The District already has a profile on the site and Leigha asked that Council further support the site by putting a link on the District’s web page and including information on benefits of the site in Business Licence applications.

2011 ELECTION APPOINTMENTS
Council appointed Hazel Christy as the Chief Elections Officer for the 2011 Municipal General Local Election with Reyna Seabrook and Willene Perez appointed as Deputy Chief Elections Officers.  Voting day will be held on Saturday, November 19th with Advance voting opportunities on Wednesday, November 9th and Tuesday, November 15th between the hours of 8:00 am and 8:00 pm at voting places designated by the Chief Election Officer. Nomination packages will be available August 26th.  In order to be a candidate for the 2011 Municipal Election you must: be 18 or older on general voting day; be a Canadian citizen; be a resident of BC for the past 6 months; not be disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other reenactment from voting, being nominated, being elected, or otherwise disqualified by law.

TOURIST ACCOMMODATIONS ON ALR LAND
Residents in Oyama brought some concerns to Council’s attention about the current regulations governing tourist accommodations on ALR land in Lake Country. Council directed staff to prepare a zoning bylaw amendment respecting tourist accommodation regulations on A1 and RLP zoned land addressing issues such as siting of units, setbacks, buffering and/or screening and the number of units permitted on a parcel of a given size.

Until the zoning bylaw is amended, all new applications for tourist accommodations on ALR will be forwarded to Council for consideration. After a waiting period of 7 days, Council can withhold further applications for a period of 30 days.  During those 30 days Council must consider the application and decide whether to withhold the permit for a further 60 days or issue the permit with conditions that are in keeping with public interest and the bylaw that is under preparation.

ACTION ITEM FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
The Committee recommended that Council convene a meeting of all of the current Council Advisory Committees to discuss issues being addressed by each committee and develop a better understanding and cooperation between the committees.  Council suggested that such a large meeting may be difficult to organize and decided to further discuss how to organize and structure such an event at a future Strategy Meeting.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

April 5th, 2011 Lake Country Council Meeting Highlights


Reyna Seabrook, our Communications Officer, who also took the minutes of the meeting, provided the following Council meeting highlight for your enjoyment.

LAKE COUNTRY RCMP DETACHMENT GETS A NEW SGT

Sergeant Scott Rempel , the new NCO I/C for the Lake Country Detachment, was born in Trail BC and spent most of his youth growing up in Vernon.  He has worked in traffic, general duties, gang enforcement, community policing, police leadership, serious crime investigations and patrol supervisor. In 2002 he was presented the Queen's Jubilee medal for outstanding service by Deputy Commissioner Beverly Busson.  In 2008 he was promoted to Sergeant at the Kelowna Detachment where he was a senior patrol supervisor.  Scott will have 30 years service in the RCMP this year and he is very grateful for the opportunity to serve as the Lake Country detachment commander.  His heart is in the Okanagan.

SPIRIT OF LAKE COUNTRY
Shannon Jorgenson, President of the Lake Country Heritage & Cultural Society presented Council with copies of a new Lake Country guide book entitled Spirit of Lake Country: Heritage and Culture. Production of the book was made possible through the funding of the Province, the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan and local arts and cultural organizations. The book provides a detailed history of the community and includes a pictures and information on all the public art located throughout Lake Country.

DEVELOPMENT VARIANCE PERMITS
Council had a lengthy discussion and heard a number of objections from neighboring residents on the proposed Development Variance Permit (DVP2011-001, Kristensen) on Brun Road. The application requests to vary the minimum rear yard setback by 4.5 m to 1.5 m and the side yard setback by 2m to 1.97 m and allow the applicant to continue plans to add an additional storey to an existing garage and convert the structure to a residence. Council denied the variance application and requested that staff investigate the non-conforming issues of the current structure on the property.


Council approved a Development Variance Permit on Oyama Lake Road (DVP2011-002, Madsen) to modify some of the provisions of Zoning Bylaw 561, Signage Bylaw 501 and the Subdivision & Development Servicing Bylaw 97-139 in order to set up a temporary zip line operation (Outdoor Amusement Facility). Council previously authorized a Temporary Use Permit for the proposed Zip-Line which is valid for a three year period.

AGE-FRIENDLY LIVING GUIDELINES
On March 15th the final report on Age‐Friendly Living Community Guidelines was presented to Council and staff was directed to provide Council with an implementation action plan. Council approved staff's recommended action plan and timeline to put the Guidelines into effect. One of the recommendations is to review the District's Access and Mobility Committee Terms of Reference to allow the committee to provide recommendations on the age friendliness and accessibility of new developments in the community. Click here to view the full report to Council.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
The CAO reviewed the recent quarterly update to Council's Strategic Priority Chart and the work plans for each of the District Departments. The Strategic Priorities are available for the public to view on the District's website.

LOGO USE POLICY
Council adopted Logo Usage Policy No. 11.115 which establishes and governs the use Lake Country's new logo. The policy will streamline requests to use the logo and ensure that the integrity and appearance of the logo is maintained. The intent of the policy is not to limit use, only to ensure that the logo is not altered or modified in any way.

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
The District uses Social Media such as Facebook, Twitter and You Tube as an additional communication tool to encourage information sharing and dialogue within the community. Social Media Policy No. 11.116 was adopted by Council and establishes principles expected of staff and Council when engaging in Social Media on behalf of the District.

NOTICE ON TITLE
Council placed a Notice on Title for the property at 12515 Pow Road for a violation of the number of structures that exceed the zoning bylaw requirements. Some of these accessory buildings have been constructed or added to without permits and Stop Work Orders have been issued and permits cannot be finalized.

PARCEL TAX REVIEW PANEL
Council set the date and time for the 2011 Parcel Tax Review Panel as 6 pm, Thursday, April 28th to be held in Council Chambers. Pursuant to the Community Charter each year that a new parcel tax is imposed or that a property is added to an existing parcel tax roll, a Parcel Tax Review Panel must be held to give affected property owners an opportunity to appeal their obligation to pay the parcel tax.

GRANT-IN-AID APPLICATIONS
Each year Council distributes grants to community organizations. In 2011 the grant‐in‐aid budget is $7,000 and so far $2,400 has been allocated to various community groups such as the Dry Grad, the Rotary Club, the Oyama Fun Days and the Lake Country Native Association. At the April 5th meeting Council approved several additional funding requests. The Lake Country Seniors bus Society was given $2,500 for the operation and maintenance of their bus, the Lake Country Art Gallery was provided with $1,500 for the costs associated with hosting an exhibit "A Tribute to Rick Davidson" and $520 for the Lake Country Heritage & Cultural Society for Creekside Theatre rental fees.

REGISTER YOUR EXISTING SUITE BEFORE APRIL 29TH
If you have an existing secondary suite in your residence, you can come in and complete an application form to register your suite, with no application fee, before April 29th. An existing secondary suite is a suite that was built before April 9, 2009. If you complete the registration and file it with the Development Services Department before April 29th you will pay no application fee and will only be required to ensure that your suite meets the basic health and safety standards which include having windows with an unobstructed opening in sleeping areas, hard wired smoke alarms and a fire extinguisher. All suites in Lake Country must be registered! Call or email the Development Services, Building Inspections Department if you have any questions! Application for Existing Suites

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Council Meeting Highlights from April 5th

LAKE COUNTRY RCMP DETACHMENT GETS A NEW SERGEANT!

Sgt. Scott Rempel , the new NCO I/C for the Lake Country Detachment, was born in Trail BC and spent most of his youth growing up in Vernon. He has worked in traffic, general duties, gang enforcement, community policing, police leadership, serious crime investigations and as a patrol supervisor. In 2002 he was presented the Queen’s Jubilee medal for outstanding service by Deputy Commissioner Beverly Busson. In 2008 he was promoted to Sergeant at the Kelowna Detachment where he was a senior patrol supervisor. Scott will have 30 years service in the RCMP this year and he is very grateful for the opportunity to serve as the Lake Country detachment commander. His heart is in the Okanagan.

SPIRIT OF LAKE COUNTRY
Shannon Jorgenson, President of the Lake Country Heritage & Cultural Society presented Council with copies of a new Lake Country guide book entitled Spirit of Lake Country: Heritage and Culture.  Production of the book was made possible through the funding of the Province, the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan and local arts and cultural organizations.  The book provides a detailed history of the community and includes pictures and information on the public art located throughout Lake Country.

DEVELOPMENT VARIANCE PERMITS
Council had a lengthy discussion and heard a number of objections from neighboring residents on the proposed Development Variance Permit (DVP2011-001, Kristensen) on Brun Road.  The application requests to vary the minimum rear yard setback by 4.5 m to 1.5 m and the side yard setback by 2m to 1.97 m and allow the applicant to continue plans to add an additional storey to an existing garage and convert the structure to a residence. Council denied the variance application and requested that staff investigate the non-conforming issues of the current structure on the property. 

Council approved a Development Variance Permit on Oyama Lake Road (DVP2011-002, Madsen) to modify some of the provisions of Zoning Bylaw 561, Signage Bylaw 501 and the Subdivision & Development Servicing Bylaw 97-139 in order to set up a temporary zip line operation (Outdoor Amusement Facility). Council previously authorized a Temporary Use Permit for the proposed Zip-Line which is valid for a three year period. 

AGE-FRIENDLY LIVING GUIDELINES
On March 15th the final report on Age‐Friendly Living Community Guidelines was presented to Council and staff was directed to provide Council with an implementation action plan. Council approved staff’s recommended action plan and timeline to put the Guidelines into effect.  One of the recommendations is to review the District’s Access and Mobility Committee Terms of Reference to allow the committee to provide recommendations on the age friendliness and accessibility of new developments in the community. Click here to view the full report to Council.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
The CAO reviewed the recent quarterly update to Council’s Strategic Priority Chart and the work plans for each of the District Departments. The Strategic Priorities are available for the public to view on the District’s website. 

LOGO USE POLICY
Council adopted Logo Usage Policy No. 11.115 which establishes and governs the use of Lake Country’s new logo.  The policy will streamline requests to use the logo and ensure that the integrity and appearance of the logo is maintained.  The intent of the policy is not to limit use, only to ensure that the logo is not altered or modified in any way.

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
The District uses Social Media such as Facebook, Twitter and You Tube as an additional communication tool to encourage information sharing and dialogue within the community.  Social Media Policy No. 11.116 was adopted by Council and establishes principles expected of staff and Council when engaging in Social Media on behalf of the District.

NOTICE ON TITLE
Council placed a Notice on Title for the property at 12515 Pow Road for a violation of the number of structures that exceed the zoning bylaw requirements. Some of these accessory buildings have been constructed or added to without permits and Stop Work Orders have been issued and permits cannot be finalized.

PARCEL TAX REVIEW PANEL
Council set the date and time for the 2011 Parcel Tax Review Panel as 6 pm, Thursday, April 28th to be held in Council Chambers. Pursuant to the Community Charter each year that a new parcel tax is imposed or that a property is added to an existing parcel tax roll, a Parcel Tax Review Panel must be held to give affected property owners an opportunity to appeal their obligation to pay the parcel tax. You or your agent must notify the District in writing, of your complaint and the complaint must be received before noon on Tuesday, April 26, 2011.  If no complaints are received by the deadline, the meeting will be cancelled.

GRANT-IN-AID APPLICATIONS
Each year Council distributes grants to community organizations. In 2011 the grant‐in‐aid budget is $7,000 and so far $2,400 has been allocated to various community groups such as the Dry Grad, the Rotary Club, the Oyama Fun Days and the Lake Country Native Association.  At the April 5th meeting Council approved several additional funding requests.  The Lake Country Seniors bus Society was given $2,500 for the operation and maintenance of their bus,  the Lake Country Art Gallery was provided with $1,500 for the costs associated with hosting an exhibit “A Tribute to Rick Davidson” and $520 for the Lake Country Heritage & Cultural Society for Creekside Theatre rental fees.

REGISTER YOUR EXISTING SUITE BEFORE APRIL 29TH
If you have an existing secondary suite in your residence, you can come in and complete an application form to register your suite, with no application fee, before April 29th.  An existing secondary suite is a suite that was built before April 9, 2009. If you complete the registration and file it with the Development Services Department before April 29th you will pay no application fee and will only be required to ensure that your suite meets the basic health and safety standards which include having windows with an unobstructed opening in sleeping areas, hard wired smoke alarms and a fire extinguisher.  All suites in Lake Country must be registered!  Call or email the Development Services, Building Inspections Department at 250-766-6675 if you have any questions!  Application for Existing Suites