Council Meeting Highlights from July 19th

TURTLE BAY CROSSING DEVELOPMENT PUBLIC HEARING
The Turtle Bay Crossing Development at 11850 Oceola and 2855 Woodview Road proposes an OCP amendment to change the property from Urban Residential to Mixed Use Commercial and amend the Zoning to a Direct Control zone. The development is located near various Lake Country communities and proposes to include approximately 44,000 sq ft of retail and office space. Members in the gallery requested that the development ensure inclusivity for the mobility impaired and noted that the development will help create employment in the community.

ZONING AMENDMENT (MACPHERSON) BYLAW 794, 2011 PUBLIC HEARING

Bylaw 794 proposes to rezone the property located between Main Street and Vernon Creek to allow for eventual development of a mixed use commercial/residential complex consistent with the District’s OCP.  There were no letters received and no comments from the gallery at the Public Hearing.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Approximately 6 people spoke against the proposed Juniper Cove OCP Amendment Bylaw 769, 2011 which proposes to amend the property at 17520 Juniper Cove Road for the eventual development of a 168 unit urban residential development. Residents requested that Council respect the Carr’s Landing Sector Plan and deny first reading of the proposed bylaw.

RCMP QUARTERLY REPORT

RCMP 2011 strategic priorities identified for Lake Country include grow ops & drug trafficking, road safety, community relations and water safety.  From April to June four grow ops & drug trafficking search warrants were executed with over 5,500 marihuana plants seized and 7 people arrested.  In the road safety division there were 27 accidents during the quarter which is a 51% reduction over the same period last year. There was a 61% decrease in impaired driving cases for the period which is a direct result of the new Immediate Roadside Prohibition program.  On June 1^st Lake Country members were working on community relations at Tim Horton’s, although on this day, the constables were serving the coffee and donuts in support of Tim Horton’s Children’s Foundation! Water safety and noisy boats are a big issue in Lake Country during the summer months and the detachment has been stepping up small vessel enforcement in the community in conjunction with Transport Canada and Lake Country Bylaw Enforcement. Click here to view the complete report with all the details.

ZONING AMENDMENT (ROYSTON) BYLAW 795, 2011

Bylaw 795, 2011 for a property at 9614 Chase Road, proposes to amend the zoning from RU-1 Single Family Housing to RU-6 Two Dwelling Housing which is consistent with District OCP objectives and only changes the form of development from single family to duplex. Council gave 2 readings and forwarded Bylaw 795 to a public hearing.

JUNIPER COVE DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL
Almost 65 residents were in attendance opposed to the proposed OCP Amendment. As staff’s recommendation for the Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw 769, 2011 was to deny 1^st reading, the applicant was provided an opportunity to address Council and outline the request to amend the OCP.  The OCP amendment Bylaw, which is the first step in the development application process, proposes to amend the property at 17520 Juniper Cove Road to a future growth area for the eventual rezoning and subdivision for a 168 unit urban residential development.  Arguments were made that the development design is well thought‐out and fits well on the property although its location at the perimeter of the community brings forward concerns of sustainable growth. Staff recommended against the bylaw because the costs to maintain a development of this scale in this area of the community are excessive when compared to similar developments closer to available infrastructure and services. Council unanimously denied 1^st reading of the OCP Amendment Bylaw 769, 2011.

TRANSIT FARE INCREASE
Transit fare increases take place approximately every four years with the last change in September 1, 2007 increasing fares by $0.25. Council approved the recommendation from the Regional Governance and Services Committee to support a transit fare increase of $0.25 effective January 1, 2012. West Kelowna recently approved the same increase and which is also subject to approval from the District’s regional transit partners. Click here for a complete list of the fare increases.

UBCM STRATEGIC WILDFIRE PREVENTION INITIATIVE GRANT
Council supported the grant application to the UBCM Strategic Wildfire Prevention Initiative for $165,000 which, if successful, will be used for fuel modification on Spion Kop Mountain which is outlined in the Regional District Fuel Management Prescription (Spion Kop Crown Lands). The District will provide overall grant management if the application is successful.

WATER MASTER PLAN

Council adopted the Water Master Plan Capital Projects, Financial Strategy and Proposed Water Rates in principle allowing due process for deliberation of water rates bylaws during the budget process which begins in September.

Council also directed staff to mail out a community wide public information and feedback package which will be distributed with the Utility Bills in September, in order to help gauge community support and gather a better understanding of residents’ opinion on the Water Master Plan. The Plan is intended to set the District of Lake Country’s direction for water servicing in the community for the next number of decades.  The short but intensive communications program saw the majority of customers giving positive feedback with the feeling that the Water Master Plan is something we have to do.  Although there are some specific concerns, there is general acceptance that it needs to be done. Click for the full report to Council and click for the Water Master Plan webpage.

CORRESPONDENCE

At the July 5^th Council meeting, Mr. Hans Karow made a presentation to Council expressing concern about health issues resulting from the proposed BC Hydro Smart Meter Program.  Mr. Karow requested that Council lobby the Minister of Health to place a moratorium on the mandatory installation of wireless Smart Meters and submit a resolution to UBCM requesting the same until the major issues and problems are identified and are addressed.  Council will hear a presentation from BC Hydro on August 16^th that will provide more information on the Smart Meter Program.

The BC Bottle Depot Association requested that Council consider joining the efforts of the Bottle Depot Association in placing a deposit on milk containers and requiring all milk containers to be recycled at the bottle depot rather than being included in the curbside recycling program.  Staff are working with the Regional Waste Reduction Office on this issue and will keep Council apprised of any updates.

PARKS & RECREATION…AND CULTURE?
The Public Art Advisory Commission recommended that Council amend the Parks and Recreation Department name to include Culture, becoming Parks, Recreation & Culture.  The Commission suggested that new name will bring the cultural part of the community to the forefront on a regular basis, eradicate potential bias or forgetfulness of another segment of the population and accurately reflect the responsibilities of the department.  The CAO will make the operational change as requested.