New fees for taxis & ride-hailing at YLW

Kelowna International Airport is adding an annual $50 licensing fee, combined with a $2 per-trip pick-up fee and $2 drop-off fee, for taxis and other transportation services such as ride-hailing.

YLW says the change will provide passengers with a choice of service and ensure all operators have the same costs to operate at the airport.

Kelowna council approved the fees after stakeholder consultation and approval by the Passenger Transportation Board.

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The following are other highlights from Kelowna council’s May 17 meeting

RCMP quarterly update

Kelowna RCMP Superintendent Kara Triance gave a quarterly update to Council on local RCMP activities.

Supt. Triance spoke about initiatives targeting street-level drug activity, property crime, safety in public spaces through the Community Safety Unit, and increased bike and foot patrols in downtown.

Read Supt. Triance’s presentation and powerpoint.

Hospital-area rental housing

Council considered a rezoning request for a mixed-use building of housing and commercial, on three existing single-family homes at 416, 426 and 430 Royal Ave.

The applicant proposes to use the Residential Rental Tenure Only subzone, which enforces rental-only tenancy on the property.

The three existing homes will be demolished as part of the proposal.

Council gave first reading and forwarded the proposal to the June 1 public hearing.

BC Housing affordable housing

A rezoning request and Official Community Plan Amendment for a 20-storey building was considered by Council.

Located at 1451 and 1469 Bertram Street, just off Bernard Avenue, the BC Housing proposal includes 162 rental units, 14 townhomes and a daycare.

The mature trees on the property will be preserved.

Council gave first reading and forwarded the proposal to the June 1 public hearing.