Council Meeting Highlights

June 27, 2023

Distributed June 28, 2023

Complete Communities Fund

Council endorsed the District’s application to the Complete Communities Fund through the Union of BC Municipalities. The Complete Communities program grant can be used to support the Downtown Revitalization Implementation Strategy (DRIS). UBCM is currently accepting grant applications to the 2023 intake of the Complete Communities Program. The first application deadline was scheduled for June 16, 2023. The second application deadline is January 12, 2024. UBCM has provided an extension to the first application intake to the end of June. Staff recommended submitting the application in the first intake as it would greatly benefit the District by providing geospatial analysis and development scenarios beyond the scope of the District’s current project scope and budget. The funding would support the timely completion of the DRIS as well as several other strategic initiatives.

ETSI Grant Received

Mayor Patrick Van Minsel announced that Peachland’s application for funding from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior of BC was successful and Peachland was awarded $35,000 towards the Downtown Revitalization Implementation Strategy. A key element of this funding request was the District’s partnership with Peachland’s Chamber of Commerce and the continuing need for an economic land use analysis of Peachland’s downtown.

Renfrew Road Development Proposal

Council gave third reading to amendment bylaws to allow development of 6575 and 6650 Renfrew Road with up to 71 dwelling units. Council had previously considered third reading of an Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw and Zoning Amendment Bylaw at its meeting on May 23 but postponed consideration to allow time for the applicant and staff to further discuss issues that had been raised at the April 6 public hearing. The applicant has agreed to cap the number of dwelling units to 71 and to produce a Wildfire Mitigation Plan, with fire mitigation to be completed before any building permit is issued. The application includes proposed road improvements for Renfrew Road and Bulyea Avenue and a donation of parkland.

Princeton Avenue Rezoning

Council gave second reading to a Zoning Bylaw Amendment for 4607 Princeton Avenue to allow a 22 multiple-unit development with no less than 12 rental flex units. The proposed rezoning is from Rural Residential to Multi-Unit Residential – Medium Density. The proposed development would prompt a Community Amenity Contribution and frontage road improvements including a paved multi-use pathway as well as a donation towards parkland.

Annual Report and Statement of Financial Information

Council approved the 2022 Annual Report and the 2022 Statement of Financial Information. The legislatively required report is available on the District’s website at www.peachland.ca and provides audited financial statements and statistics as well as details of the previous year’s activities and establishes objectives and measurements for each department of the upcoming year. The Statement of Financial Information for 2022 includes mayor and council remuneration and expenses, employee remuneration over $75,000 and payments to suppliers greater than $25,000.

Community Emergency Preparedness Fund Application

Council provided its support to a funding application by the Regional District of Central Okanagan for a grant from the 2023 UBCM Community Emergency Preparedness Fund towards public notification and evacuation route planning framework. Peachland is a member municipality of the RDCO’s Regional Emergency Program.

Next Council Meeting

Peachland Council’s next regular meeting is Tuesday, July 11, 2023 beginning at 6:00 pm. Keep informed; subscribe to get news and event information emailed directly to you at www.peachland.ca/newsletter.