Deer cull among issues for discussion at meeting
Residents of a south-end Penticton neighbourhood are asking for the city’s help organizing a deer cull, council will hear at its meeting today.
The request, which will be dealt with during committee of the whole, stems from frustrations with deer in Figueiras Mobile Home Park.
Residents have written letters stating that alongside deer droppings and property damage, the animals bring with them the danger of coyotes and other wildlife that prey on the deer, which leads to dead carcasses in yards.
“These tenants are frustrated with the damage the deer are doing with their gardens and flowers,” states one resident’s letter to the city. “Nothing will alleviate our concerns without some form of organized action.”
Neither the mobile park, nor the residents, has the ability to handle the issue alone, the letter adds.
Once into its regular meeting, council will get its first look at a pair of developments that would add 26 units of housing on Government Street.
The first covers side-by-side lots at 909 and 931 Government St., each of which would see a single-family home replaced with a pair of duplexes.
“The proposal fits nicely into a neighbourhood mixed with apartments, single-family, and multifamily developments,” the Giroux Design Group states in a letter accompanying the developer’s rezoning application.
“The property is close to shopping and schools, which makes it ideal for family housing.”
A separate proposal from Douglas and Kim Cotter would see a threestorey, 18-unit apartment building go up close to the hospital at 1473 Government St.
“Our intention is to build a highquality project while providing more affordable housing,” states a letter from the Cotters accompanying their rezoning application.
The building, which would replace a single-family home, would include 15 underground parking spots, three dedicated street spots for residents and five for visitors.
Later in the meeting, council will be asked to support the Penticton Seniors’ Drop-in Centre’s bid for a liquor-primary licence.
The centre, which holds around 40 social events a year with special-occasion permits, is seeking the allowance to serve alcohol at such functions without applying for permission each time.
“Over the last 19 years of operation, there has never been an incident causing a disturbance with nearby residents, and any potential of disturbance would not be tolerated,” the centre’s letter of intent states.
The final decision on the permit rests with the B.C. Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch.
Council will also be presented with a report on city staff’s engagement efforts in the formation of new cannabis regulations. Those regulations won’t be presented to council until its Dec. 4 meeting, however, contrary to information contained in a press release issued by the city last week.
Committee of the whole starts at 1 p.m., followed immediately afterwards by the regular meeting. Land matters will be heard at 6 p.m. All sessions are open to the public.