Highlights from Peachland council’s March 12 meeting

14-unit development approved Council adopted a zoning bylaw amendment to rezone a 0.4 hectare vacant lot in the Lower Princeton neighbourhood to allow the building of up to 23 residential units. The developer of the parcel at 5948 Highway 97S is proposing a 14unit strata community with townhouse building forms and secondary suites.

Growing Communities Fund

Council approved the establishment of the Growing Communities Fund reserve to allow a $2.76 million grant received in March 2023 to be spent. The provincial Ministry of Municipal Affairs provided one-time grants to municipalities to help build infrastructure and amenities associated growing communities. Council has earmarked some expenditures of this fund in the proposed 2024 draft budget for projects including road improvements, upgrades to Turner and Sanderson parks and expansion of the Westside trail. Council will consider first three readings of its proposed 2024 budget at a council meeting in April.

Transportation servicing plan

Council was provided a report on a Transportation Servicing Plan that has been developed for Peachland to help identify traffic impacts resulting from future development. The plan provides recommendations for transportation improvements on four of the community’s upland major roadways — Princeton Avenue, Ponderosa Drive, Trepanier Bench Road and Renfrew Road/Hardy Street. The plan is not a comprehensive roads master plan, which is in development and encompasses all community roads and intersections. Instead, this plan provides district staff with an improved ability to direct developments to construct or proportionally contribute toward the improvements that have been identified. The plan will also be used to inform Development Cost Charges updates and future capital projects,

Interim fire chief

Deputy chief Wes Aigro has been named Interim Fire Chief for the Peachland. The municipality is currently recruiting for a chief to replace Dennis Craig who left the position in February to join the Kelowna fire department.

Peachland Classic Car Show support

Council agreed to provide the Peachland Chamber of Commerce with a one-time, start-up donation of $7,000 to ensure the Peachland Classic Car Show event planned for the May long weekend is a success. More information on the Chamber’s show can be found at peachlandclassiccarshow.ca. The show replaces the World of Wheels, which is moving to West Kelowna.

Next council meeting

The next regular meeting of Peachland Council is on Tuesday, March 26, beginning at 6 pm. Council meetings are open to the public and webcast live.