COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Forestry Activities in the Peachland watershed
Council received a presentation from representatives of BC Timber Service and Gorman Bros. Lumber Ltd. regarding proposed forestry activities near Glen Lake. A recent meeting with Mayor Van Minsel, Councillor Collins and Forestry Minister Ravi Parmar to seek increased control over Peachland’s watershed prompted the invitation to these organizations to provide information on the forestry practices and locations of proposed logging activities near Glen Lake which feeds into Peachland’s drinking water system. Council requested to be kept informed of the proposed logging and reiterated that protection of the community’s watershed is essential and the matter will be discussed at follow-up meetings with provincial representatives. View the full discussion at peachland.ca/government/meetings/archived-webcasts.
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Affordable Transit Pass
Council received information on the City of Kelowna’s proposed Affordable Transit Pass Program and the current Emergency Transit Assistance Program (ETAP), a partnership between the City of Kelowna and the United Way. Both programs provide support for transit passes for the community’s most vulnerable residents. Peachland’s participation is estimated to cost approximately $2,400 for the new program and approximately $100 to join the ETAP.
Decal on 8th Street Boat Launch
Council approved a new outreach tool to be applied at Peachland’s 8th Street boat launch that will be a vivid reminder for boaters to clean, drain and dry their boat. A representative from OASISS, a non-profit society serving the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys, provided information on the program which focuses on education, outreach and monitoring lakes for invasive mussels. The large decal will be painted directly on the launch surface.
Financial Plan and Tax Rates Bylaws
Council adopted the 2026 Financial Plan and Tax Rates Bylaws. A 4.87% General Property Tax rate increase was approved. For the average Peachland homeowner, based on a home assessed at $875,700, the approved 2026 General Municipal Property Tax increase will be approximately $80 for the year — or about $6.67 per month. Positive non-market change was used to help reduce the overall impact on existing taxpayers, effectively reducing the tax increase to approximately 3.78% for the average Peachland homeowner.
Downtown Revitalization Implementation Strategy
Council endorsed the Downtown Revitalization Implementation Strategy (DRIS) as a guiding plan for downtown Peachland which includes a vision, policy principles, big moves, and a detailed action plan. Council directed staff to action the DRIS Big Move #1A to “adopt new clarifying downtown OCP policy” as part of the ongoing minor Official Community Plan review project. Staff will also prepare a Zoning Amendment Bylaw in accordance with DRIS Big Move #1B to “develop new downtown zoning regulations.” Staff will bring forward potential projects and associated costs for Council’s consideration during the 2027 budget deliberations. This roadmap plan will provide staff, Council, landowners, the Peachland community and the development industry guidance for the direction of new development and investment in downtown Peachland.
Next Council Meeting
The next Regular Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, 2026, beginning at 3:00 pm. Council meetings are open to the public and available live on a webcast. Find the full schedule by visiting peachland.ca/government/meetings. Find webcasts of past meetings at peachland.ca/government/meetings/archived-webcasts. Keep informed; subscribe to get news and event information emailed directly to you at peachland.ca/services/subscribe.