Lutheran church looks to sell off pieces of its land
Council took the first steps on Monday to allow St. Paul’s Lutheran Church to subdivide its property and sell off two excess lots.
The property, at the corner of Airport Street and Skagit Avenue, includes three pieces: one comprising the church building and adjacent parking; one that includes a vacant house, formerly a rectory; and one vacant lot.
Council gave initial approval to a rezoning and to a variance of zoning requirements that will allow the church to sell the lots to the north and the west for development as residences.
The area surrounding the church is predominantly single-family homes.
Rainbow crosswalk to be featured near high school
A pedestrian crossing at Fairview and Gala will soon become a brightly coloured “rainbow crosswalk” after Councillor Larry Schwartzenberger convinced the rest of council Monday to go along with his idea.
He told council that after Councillor Petra Veintimilla’s proposal for such a crossing on Main Street was turned down by the provincial Ministry of Transport, he approached the high school. “They felt it fit in well with their anti-bullying programs.”
Rainbow crosswalks have emerged this year across North America as part of Pride celebrations. In several centres, including Kelowna and Edmonton, they have become permanent symbols of inclusion.
Town staff was directed to investigate what needs to be done for the project to proceed.
Simple lighting problem not so simple after all
The deceptively complicated proposal to install some needed streetlights at the north end of Oliver was kicked down the highway Monday as staff was directed to provide a report on costs and options.
RDOS area director Terry Schafer proposed last month that the town and the region take on a joint project to light Highway 97 as it enters the town from the north. “I envision a couple of high-tech streetlights around the dark area … it would really enhance (pedestrian) safety,” he said.
At Monday’s council meeting, however, any number of complications were introduced.
A provincial Ministry of Transport employee said the province usually only installs streetlights at places where accidents have occurred because of darkness. He offered to look at any proposal to make sure it meets with provincial regulations.
There was disagreement over and no resolution to whether a sidewalk would be appropriate along a highway with a 60 km/hr speed limit.
The acting town chief administrative officer said his staff says five streetlights would be needed in the area. Schafer insisted two would do the trick.
Whether lights would be LED or incandescent is also unresolved as Fortis is dong is study on the best lighting options to be released some time next summer.
Council urged to move forward on social housing
The president of the Oliver Women’s Institute on Monday urged council to take the lead in developing needed affordable rental housing in the town.
Helen Overnes lamented the lack of low-cost rental accommodation, suggesting it leads to a cycle of deepening anger, hopelessness and depression.
She recalled a report that the towns of Oliver and Osoyoos co-sponsored in 2007 on the subject. “I wonder if it’s gathering dust somewhere.”
She asked council to consider low-cost housing as it goes about creating a new Official Community Plan. She said 100 units are needed and “no developer will stick its neck out unless the town leads the way.”
Town lights up for Christmas this weekend
The Christmas season official kicks off this Friday with the annual Light-Up celebration.
Businesses downtown will be open late and offering refreshments between 4 and 6. The Oliver Elementary School choir performs at 5:30 and Santa arrives at 6.
There will be a barbeque in the community park starting about 6:30 and fireworks at 7:30.
Saturday will feature breakfast with Santa and a free movie for kids at the Oliver Theatre. The Sage Valley Singers will perform at the library.
By Roy Wood