Kelowna group calls for delay of hearing on golf course rezoning

A local citizens group is calling for a delay to a public hearing on a proposal to rezone part of the Kelowna Springs Golf Course for industrial development.

The plan would convert about 55 acres of the 106-acre property at 480 Penno Road into an industrial business park, while the remaining land would continue operating as a nine-hole golf course.

The Kelowna Citizens Safety Association argues the change would remove environmentally sensitive land within the Mill Creek floodplain that includes ponds, wildlife habitat and about 600 mature trees.

“Once this land is industrialized, it is gone forever,” said Lloyd Manchester, president of the association. “Council must carefully consider the long-term environmental and financial implications before approving a permanent conversion of this scale.”

The association has also raised concerns about transparency surrounding a proposed municipal land exchange tied to the project.

City officials have referenced a swap involving about 9.5 acres of industrial land on Hollywood Road and a portion of the Kelowna Springs property, but Manchester said valuation details have not been publicly released.

“No transparent valuation or comparative appraisal has been released,” he said.

The group has submitted a letter to the city clerk asking that the March 10 public hearing be postponed until appraisal information and environmental studies related to the proposal are made public.