Staff looking for a second bus stop
Following a request from BC Transit, town staff will look for a good location for a second official Oliver stop on the Osoyoos to Penticton bus route.
The only current official stop is at the hospital, although the bus usually makes an unofficial stop near the Chevron station.
Members of council on Monday were in general agreement that the area around the Chevron station, the former Super-Value and the so-called “triangle” seems to be the best area for a new stop.
Staff will come back to council with options.
The South Okanagan Transit System currently operates an Osoyoos to Kelowna and back run on Monday and twice-a-day trips to Penticton on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
An expansion of the service to include a Friday run to Penticton is expected to be added in September 2017.
WiFi approved for Lions Park
The town will partner with Oliver Parks and Recreation to provide free WiFi in Lions Park for the peak season for out-of-town agriculture workers.
The town will chip in up to $300, matching a contribution from Parks and Rec for four months of service.
Mayor Ron Hovanes supported the idea, pointing out that it will allow many of the young itinerant pickers to stay in touch with their families.
Councillor Mo Doerr added that the service would take pressure off the current WiFi service available at the public library, which is often inundated with users.
Final approvals for housing developments
Council Monday gave final approval to two rezoning bylaws that could see a total of 180 housing units built in the town.
The long-pending Meadows Drive proposal will allow 63 single-family units in a small-lot subdivision.
The parcel sits between Meadows Drive and the Okanagan River and south of Willow Glen. It has been vacant and in search of developer for 25 years.
The high-density development planned near the corner of Co-op Avenue and Sawmill Road would see a mix of fourplexes, townhouses and condominiums totaling 117 units.
The property has a long history of use as horse pasture and contains one single detached house.
Reporter Roy Wood