Kelowna council highlights

Mar 10, 2020 | 10:16 AM Pete McIntyre

The following are highlights from Kelowna council’s March 9, 2020 meeting as provided by the city.

Cannabis store

Council denied an application for a BC Cannabis retail store at 1525 Dilworth Dr, as it was proposed within 500 metres from another retail cannabis outlet at 2397 Hwy 97 N in the Dilworth Shopping Centre.

Parks strategies

Council heard an update from staff on key considerations and strategies needed to deliver future parks. The 2040 Official Community Plan (OCP) will establish the direction for parkland acquisition and development for the next 20 years. Staff completed a detailed study and assessment on the parkland needs in response to a shift from suburban to more urban development. This shift will concentrate growth within the City’s core area, with some 50% of future growth occurring within the City’s five urban centres.

Housing report

The Annual Housing Report was introduced to Council. The report identifies key trends in the rental and ownership housing market from 2019 and highlights the ongoing need for purpose-built rental housing to keep pace with Kelowna’s growing population as well as the need for subsidized rentals to ensure rental options are available for all residents.

Healthy housing

Council received an update on the Healthy Housing Strategy implementation actions. The Healthy Housing Strategy was endorsed by Council on June 25, 2018 and is a five-year plan that aims to address the community’s most pressing housing issues. In 2020, several additional housing actions will be finalized including development of an Affordable Housing Land Acquisition Strategy; development of a Community Energy Retrofit Strategy; and, policy and zoning changes to permit a greater variety of housing forms and tenures.

Road renaming

The northern portion of Saucier Road will be renamed to Stewart Road West. Council agreed to the change as the “S” curve of Saucier Road has been upgraded and connects to Stewart Road West, in anticipation of the South Perimeter Road construction and the extra traffic it will generate. Nine properties are affected.