Peanut Pond project plows forward 

The large multi-family residential development above the southwest shore of Peanut Pond received a couple of council approvals this afternoon as the project continues to move ahead.

The 54-unit project will fill the empty land between the pond and Highway 3, behind the Super 8 Motel. Council approved an Official Community Plan amendment and a zoning amendment that will allow the development.

Planning director Gina MacKay told council the developer has given the town a cheque for $200,000 to pay for part of the needed upgrades to Vedette Drive, which will be the main access to the project.

The plans call for a pedestrian trail along the shore of Peanut Pond. It will be open to the public when the adjacent mobile home park site is redeveloped, although there are no current plans.

Councillor Brian Harvey was the only dissenting vote on the two amendments, telling his colleagues he has concerns about the lack of detailed drawings of the project.

Plans call for up to 28 of the 54 townhouses to contain basement suites, which, according to MacKay, “are in line with the town’s policy on encouraging affordable rental units to be located within walking distance of the town’s amenities.”

Tesla gifts 16 charging stations to the town 

Sixteen new electric car charging stations will be coming to Osoyoos thanks to an offer from Tesla.

According to a report from senior planner Don McArthur, Tesla approached the town with a proposal to install eight Tesla-specific charging stations and four generic ones at the under-used town parking lot at 8513 74th Avenue.

Four other Tesla chargers will be installed at another, as yet undetermined site in the town. All 16 stations will be paid for by Tesla.

Councillor CJ Rhodes told council that the town created the parking lot after an abandoned house was destroyed by fire several years ago. “No one ever uses the parking lot,” he said.

One of the attractions for council is that visitors to the town will be able to patronize businesses in the downtown area as their cars are plugged in.

McArthur said that four of the Tesla-only sites will be just for car charging. The other eight will be available for anyone wishing to park their vehicles for the allowed time period.

Regional pool idea just keeps on ticking

The idea of a regional pool just won’t go away and council today agreed to support another bid for a grant to fund a feasibility study.

According to a report from Chief Administrative Officer Barry Romanko, “In 2017 an initiative was started to develop a regional pool, in partnership with Oliver, the RDOS and the Osoyoos Indian Band.”

Unfortunately, that project fell apart.

The town of Oliver is asking for the BC Rural Development Fund for $100,000 to help fund a new feasibility study and the application needs letters of support from the partners.

Osoyoos has $40,000 in the 2019 budget to provide a contribution if it becomes necessary.