Land Purchase for Lakeview Fire Station Relocation
Mayor Gord Milsom announced, on behalf of West Kelowna Council and West Kelowna Fire Rescue, that the City has agreed to purchase 2509 and 2513 Harmon Road where the City plans to relocate the Lakeview Heights Fire Station. The current Lakeview Fire Station #32 is located nearby at 2708 Olalla Road and has served its community well for decades. However, the location and state of the building is past its life expectancy and can no longer accommodate the needs of the growing community. In order to provide the best possible fire protection to West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation, the City needed to find a location in the same area that can grow with our community. The new location will provide an opportunity to build a safe, suitable fire station that meets the City’s needs now and into the future and provides appropriate space for West Kelowna Fire Rescue to continue to protect the community. West Kelowna Council remains fully committed to the safety and wellbeing of the community. The first step was securing the land and, next a rezoning process will begin with residents invited to provide comments through the public hearing process.
Gellatly Bridge Replacement Project Update
Council agreed to close Gellatly Bridge over Powers Creek on West Kelowna’s waterfront for approximately three months in early 2020 to allow the replacement of the aging bridge. Gellatly Bridge is 50+ years old and has reached the end of its service life. Council has budgeted $2 million for the replacement project with construction to begin in January and be complete by May 2020. It is anticipated that there will be a full closure of the bridge for approximately three months during this construction window. Options considered including installing a temporary bridge or detour but both options were rejected due to complexities and costs. Area residents will be advised that emergency service to the area may be slightly delayed during this construction window and emergency evacuation plans will take into account this potential delay. Construction was planned for non-peak times for this corridor to minimize impact to motorists and visitors to the area and is outside the traditional wildfire season. An Open House is scheduled for October 30, 2019 at the West Kelowna Yacht Club, 4111 Gellatly Road, from 4 to 6 p.m. to provide information on the project to the public.
Road Closure and Sale of Land
Council gave first three readings to a road closure bylaw and to the sale of a small portion of land adjacent to 2734 Lower Glenrosa Road for the purpose of consolidation with 2734 Lower Glenrosa Road for $21,700. The property owner of 2734 Lower Glenrosa Road is requesting an amendment to the Official Community Plan land use designation to permit a multiple family development consisting of 24 townhomes. The proposed road closure is for land considered to be surplus to the city’s needs, does not contain any city services and will facilitate a better layout for the proposed townhouse development. The proposed road closure area is vacant. The City will notify the public of its intent to close this section of road through advertisements in the Westside Weekly newspaper.