Council Meeting Highlights from July 5th

ZONING AMENDMENT (THOMPSON) BYLAW 789, 2011 Bylaw 789 amends the zoning of the property at 3386 Woodsdale Road from Neighbourhood Commercial (C2) to Town Centre Commercial (C1) to accommodate a greater amount of development on the property including both residential and commercial.  Bylaw 789 received 2 readings on May 17^th and at the public hearing, residents expressed concerns about commercial development outside of the Town Centre area, taking away from potential development in Town Centre. Council expressed concerns about adhering to the neighbourhood plan that was created for the area and the proposed height of the buildings.  Staff’s recommendation was for 3^rd reading and adoption of the bylaw. Zoning Amendment (Thompson) Bylaw 789, 2011 was read a 3^rd time with a restrictive covenant to be placed on title restricting building height to 4 stories.

OKANAGANWAY.CA WEBSITE

The District’s new economic development focused website created by Zappworx & Reputations was presented to Council and is now live! Check out okanaganway.ca!

REGIONAL GROWTH STRATEGY REVIEW

David Widdis, Regional Growth Strategy Coordinator outlined the regional growth planning process including public consultation and participation, identified issues and what the next steps of the process include. Click here to view the complete presentation to Council. 

BUILDING REGULATION BYLAW 709 & CONCURRENT AMENDMENTS

Council adopted Building Regulation Bylaw 709, 2011 which establishes the roles and responsibilities of District Building Officials and the process by which building permits are issued. A review of the Building Regulations Bylaw was identified as one of Council’s strategic priorities and Bylaw 709 is a move to say current with BC Building Code and Community Charter requirements. The Bylaw clarifies the application process and also includes small rebates for highly environmentally friendly dwellings in order to encourage green development. As a result of the Building Regulation Bylaw, several other District bylaws needed to be amended to ensure their enforceability as they reference sections of the previous Building Regulation Bylaw. Council adopted Municipal Ticketing Information Amendment Bylaw 775, 2011, Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw 776, 2011 and Land Development Fees Amendment Bylaw 777, 2011.

ZONING AMENDMENT AGRITOURISM ACCOMMODATION BYLAW 793

Council gave 3^rd reading and adopted Bylaw 793 which removes agri-tourism accommodation as a permitted use from the zoning bylaw. Staff will begin an intensive public consultation process beginning in late August, early September to hear the public’s comments on what the new regulations should include. More information on the proposed changes can be obtained from the Development Services department at the District of Lake Country Municipal Hall or from the District’s website. Click here to view the News Release on the Agri-tourism Accommodations process.

DEVELOPMENT VARIANCE PERMIT @ 2612 LAKE BREEZE COURT

Council and the affected residents of the proposed Development Variance Permit held a lengthy debate about the construction of a retaining wall that is above the permitted height requirements. Council approved Development Variance Permit DVP2011-004 varying the height limitation to 5 metres for the retaining wall on the property at 2612 Lake Breeze Court which is subject to a $2500 landscaping bond.  The $2500 bond will ensure landscaping work is completed to help mitigate the visual impact to the adjoining properties.

GRANT-IN-AID LAKE COUNTRY CUSTOMS & CLASSICS CAR SHOW

Rather than a grant-in-aid, Council sponsored the Lake Country Customs & Classics Car Show to be held August 27^th, for the requested amount of $380.80 from Council Contingency to cover the costs of renting Swalwell Park.  The requested grant-in-aid is contrary to the District’s policy and the $7,000 grant-in-aid budget has been fully allocated for 2011. From the proceeds of the event, the Lake Country Customers & Classics Car Show will make a donation to a Lake Country charity.

USE OF LAKE COUNTRY NAME

Council passed a resolution requesting that Canada Post change the preferred municipality name to Lake Country.  Canada Post currently uses Winfield, Oyama and Okanagan Centre as the preferred municipal name. With Lake Country’s new branding it is critical that there be consistency in the way the community is identified. The change will also amend the way other agencies identify the community such as Google Maps, ICBC and Land Titles. But don’t worry! Oyama, Winfield and Okanagan Centre will still be considered alternative addresses for sending and receiving mail.

ADOPTION OF BYLAWS
Council adopted Municipal Ticket Information Amendment Bylaw 791, 2011 and Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw 792, 2011 which add the ability to enforce Section 2.31 of Parks, Public Spaces and Recreation Facilities Regulations and Fees Bylaw 717, 2009 which prohibits the possession of illegal drug paraphernalia in a park or public space.  This Bylaw allows the RCMP greatly flexibility to address drug related issues within municipal parks through the ticketing process.

NAVIGABLE WATERS
Following Council’s June 28, 2011 Strategy Session, Council passed a resolution requesting that the Regional District of Central Okanagan apply to the federal Navigable Waters Department for funding to dredge the Oyama channel between Wood Lake and Kalamalka Lake. The canal is very busy being used for tourism, recreation and commercial purposes. At low water levels, the canal can be difficult and even dangerous to navigate.

APEX DRIVE PARK

The construction of the Apex Drive Park is underway and unfortunately, the recent tender bids left the project with a budget shortfall of $20,000.  The project has included planning with the Lakes Neighbourhood Association, Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PARC) and other members of the community, capital contributions from the District, in-kind donations arranged by the Neighbourhood Association and Okanagan Land Developments and a BC Hydro Tree Canada Grant.   Council approved staff’s recommendation to move the project in-house and maintaining the 2011 project budget of $75,000.  The project completion date may be slightly delayed by doing so although there is the potential for cost savings and additional donations or in-kind contributions.