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South Okanagan Photos

RDOS Report

willowDecisions and Discussion at Penticton Board table of Regional District – Thursday

1. Willow Beach – future housing at the north end of Osoyoos Lake has passed another hurdle with final approval on OCP and Zoning changes. But one caveat placed on the development today:  A motion passed to save harmless the RDOS if any flooding should occur in the future. The land is owned by a mortgage company which seeks a buyer/developer. It was thought it might be some time before a development permit application will be made on this property.

2. 911 Fire Dispatch – Third reading passed on Bylaw to service the $1.6 million to be borrowed to institute this technical change. Four directors voted NO – two from Penticton and two from Summerland. The next step is finding a project manager to implement the recommendations of a previous report. Fire Chiefs will meet in August to review their needs to make the plan a better one. Staff say it will be a superior system with a redundancy component – all radio based communication, common maintenance, and a better understanding of what is in place all over the region.

3. A new Official Community Plan for Keremeos got a rough reception at the Regional Board as that document talked to the issue of expansion and boundary changes and the possible need of ALR land for housing development. At least three rural directors took exception to that and wanted their concerns noted and sent to the Village of Keremeos. Directors were told this was a referral and the board had no control in the matter.

4. Short term vacation rentals – The board took another step towards getting a handle on a thorny issue. Some people rent out their homes for a week or a month at a high rate and the visitors can cause problems in the neighbourhood. One court challenge indicated that the RDOS did not have legislated powers  ~ so some teeth is being put into existing zoning laws in many rural areas include Areas A, C, D, E and F – areas in the Okanagan from West Bench, Naramata, Okanagan Falls, Oliver and Osoyoos. Short term vacation rental homes will soon have to register with the Regional District and pay as much or more that similar homes in the Penticton area – that pay a business license and a tourist accommodation fee – amounting to $350.