REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing Next Steps Project
Council gave first three readings to amendment bylaws to update bylaws affected by previous major changes to the District’s Zoning Bylaw which were prompted by Bill 44 - Housing Statutes Amendment Act. By June 30, 2024, the District had met new provincial requirements for Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) in a short time period, intending to revisit the changes in two years to ensure effectiveness. The proposed amendment bylaws consider Council’s priorities including increasing housing choice by promoting diverse housing options and streamlining the development application process but are mainly intended to improve clarity and consistency across bylaws. The SSMUH next steps project is ongoing and more amendments to the Zoning Bylaw are expected to be presented to Council in the future.
Parcel Tax Bylaw
Council was advised there are no new parcel taxes this year and approved parcel taxes for the RDCO transfer station, sewer collection, water treatment debt and the new firehall project. Not all properties are impacted by every parcel tax. The overall increase for property owners with all four parcel taxes will be 23.5%, or approximately $123. However, for the majority of property owners, there will be a decrease in overall parcel taxes of about 1% or -$3. A published list of all properties subject to each Parcel Tax is available for viewing at the District Office. Submission of written appeals are due by 4 pm on Tuesday, April 28.
Election Costs Budget
Council agreed to amend its 2026 budget to include $20,000 in additional election funding due to the unexpected costs of operating a by-election in March 2026. The funding will not impact the proposed tax increase. Council also officially approved the results of the 2026 by-election, confirming Councillor Ali Bani-Sadr as the successful candidate.
Water Meter Replacement Program
Since spring 2024, the District has been working diligently to replace over 1,000 non-functioning water meters; the District has a total of approximately 2,350 metres. Most were near the end of life, an average of 15 to 20 years. Over 100 non-functioning meters still need to be replaced. The District will embark on a comprehensive process to encourage property owners with non-functioning meters to get in touch with the District to have their meter replaced. Enforcement options will be explained to non-compliant property owners.
Stage 3 Water Restrictions Implemented
Council approved further water restrictions due to ongoing drought conditions and lower upland lake levels. Stage 3 once-a-week water restrictions will now be implemented, not long after Stage 2 restrictions were put in place in March. Council was informed that Peachland’s watershed is departing from historic refill patterns and the upland lakes the water system relies on are substantially lower than historic norms. The system relies on spring refill to carry through the irrigation season but ongoing drought conditions have impacted this. Lake levels are forecast to continue to be below historic average. Council agreed to institute increased restrictions to help highlight the importance of conservation activities to avoid potential shortages. Outlet flows are continually monitored and changed according to supply and demand.
The District has embarked on its own water conservation initiatives and will no longer water outlying parks. Downtown parks and sports fields will be watered but the District has the ability to adjust watering during times of precipitation.
Staff will continue to monitor lake levels, outflow and demand and will update Council as the season continues.
Stage 3 outdoor water restrictions are:
Even numbered addresses - watering permitted on Saturdays
Odd numbered addresses - watering permitted on Sundays
Automatic sprinklers - midnight to 6:00 am on permitted days
Manually controlled sprinklers - 6 am to 10 am and 7 pm to 11 pm on permitted days
Watering not permitted between 10 am and 7 pm
No filling pools, tubs, ponds or fountains
No washing vehicles or boats
Hand watering using a hose with a control valve or hand-held container is allowed at any time
Find more details on water restrictions and water conservation tips at www.peachland.ca/water
Next Council Meeting
The next Regular Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, 2026, beginning at 3:00 pm. Council meetings are open to the public and webcast live. Find the full schedule by visiting www.peachland.ca/government/meetings. Find webcasts of past meetings at www.peachland.ca/government/meetings/archived-webcasts. Keep informed; subscribe to get news and event information emailed directly to you at www.peachland.ca/services/subscribe.