Regional district board meeting highlights

Contributed

Highlights of the regional district board meeting, August 20, 2012.

Regionally Significant Gas Tax Fund Projects

The Regional Board has approved submitting three Regionally Significant projects to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) for consideration and approval through the Central Okanagan share of Gas Tax Funding. Of the total $8.7-million in Regionally Significant Project funding for the Central Okanagan, almost $506,000 hasn’t yet been allocated. The Board proposes spending $317,969 to upgrade and provide a backup centrifuge at the Regional facility that treats septic tank waste; $150,000 for a Regional Household Travel Survey and Analysis and $38,000 to review and update the Regional Air Quality Management Plan.

Zoning Bylaw No. 871 Amended

The Regional Board has adopted amendments to the Regional District Zoning Bylaw No. 871. The changes resulted from the annual review of the bylaw to ensure it remains consistent with Board policy and direction as well as to clarify interpretation and reflect development trends. Among the amendments to the bylaw are clarification of the intent of prohibited uses, bed and breakfast accommodation regulations, and the permitted area to be used for ‘Home Based Business – Major’ and ‘Home Based Business in an Agricultural Zone’.

Search and Rescue Funding Request

The Regional Board supports an application from the Central Okanagan Search and Rescue organization for grant funding under the Provincial Gaming Program. The volunteer organization hopes to receive a $100,000 grant to help fund the purchase of various pieces of important equipment that will help its members as they perform search and rescue services across the Central Okanagan.

July Building Statistics

During July, Development Services approved 19 building permits for a construction projects valued at $1,442,000 in the Central Okanagan East and Central Okanagan West Electoral Areas. That compares with 16 permits issued in July 2011 for projects valued at $587,440. So far this year, 76 permits have been approved for construction projects valued at $5.9-million. During the first seven months of last year, 92 construction projects received permits in the two electoral areas for a total value of just over $6.7-million.

Regional Board Meetings

Regional District office – 1450 KLO Road, Kelowna (Woodhaven Board Room). Residents are welcome to attend.

• · Thursday, September 6^th – following 8:30 am Governance and Services Committee meeting
• · Monday, September 17^th – 7:00 pm