Vernon public meetings in 2023

Public Hearing

The City of Vernon held a public hearing regarding Zoning Text (Secondary Suites) Amendment Bylaw 5969, 2023. The minutes record the procedure and public submissions, but do not state a final decision or vote outcome.

• Held public hearing for Bylaw 5969 to allow secondary suites in all residential zones

Committee of the Whole

Council approved a funding strategy for parks and public spaces to be considered during 2024 budget deliberations. The plan prioritizes the maintenance of existing assets over the creation of new parks. Administration was also directed to update the 2015 Parks Master Plan.

• Supported increasing annual Operations and Maintenance funding by $525,000 (4-1)
• Supported dedicating $1.28M annually for Capital-Lifecycle Renewal from the Growing Communities Fund grant (4-1)
• Decided to limit funding for Capital-Increase Level of Service in Existing Parks (4-1)
• Decided to limit funding for Capital-New Parks (4-1)
• Directed Administration to bring forward funding options for infrastructure renewal and operation funding (4-1)
• Directed Administration to update the Parks Master Plan (2015) (4-1)
• Received verbal presentation on Flood mapping, risk analysis and mitigation project for information (Carried)

Regular Council Meeting

Council approved two development variance permits to allow construction on steep slopes and the installation of a retaining wall. The meeting also included updates on drug decriminalization and economic development projects.

• Approved Development Variance Permit DVP00619 for 3400 Centennial Drive to allow construction on slopes over 30% and a retaining wall up to 2.0m
• Approved Development Variance Permit DVP00620 for 1800 Phoenix Drive to allow residential construction on lots exceeding 30% slopes
• Received verbal update on hard drug decriminalization from Supt. Baher, Vernon RCMP
• Received presentation from Quail Run resident regarding cannabis odors at 1701 Kosmina Road and referred to Administration for a report
• Received economic development update from Community Futures Executive Director Leigha Horsfield
• Adopted minutes from August 14, 2023 Regular, Public Hearing, and Committee of the Whole meetings

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole received a presentation from Chief Lind regarding the Sensenet Early Wildfire Detection System. The presentation covered sensor locations and fire mitigation. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Adopted the August 14, 2023 meeting agenda (Carried)
• Adopted the July 17, 2023 meeting minutes (Carried)
• Received presentation on Sensenet Early Wildfire Detection System (Carried)

Regular Council Meeting

Council approved two development variance permits for properties on Okanagan Landing Road. They also referred requests regarding cemetery bylaws and rink rental fees to administration for future reports.

• Approved DVP00596 for 8354 Okanagan Landing Road to allow a semi-detached building and retaining wall (Carried)
• Approved DVP00598 for 8511 Okanagan Landing Road to allow roof repair and patio enclosure (Carried)
• Referred request to revisit Cemetery Management Bylaw 5767 regarding fresh flowers to Administration (Carried)
• Referred request to waive rental fees for Centennial outdoor rink for Halina Centre to Administration (Carried)
• Denied motion to waive Council Procedure Bylaw 4840 to act immediately on Halina Centre request (Defeated)
• Received RCMP Second Quarter Report for 2023 for information (Carried)

Public Hearing

The City of Vernon held a public hearing regarding Bylaw 5964 to rezone 2801 28th Street from C4 - Street-Oriented Commercial to C8 - Central Business District for a mixed-use development. One member of the public provided testimony regarding drainage and parking concerns. No formal decision was recorded in the minutes.

Committee of the Whole

Council received a fee assessment and review presentation from Innovate Planning & Co. regarding parks and recreation services. The Committee decided to direct staff to implement the recommendations provided by the consultants.

• Approved implementation of Parks and Recreation Services Fee Assessment and Review recommendations
• Adopted minutes from the June 26, 2023 Committee of the Whole meeting
• Amended the July 17, 2023 agenda to add a letter from The Creative Chaos Society

Public Hearing

The City of Vernon held a public hearing regarding the Resort Villages at Predator Ridge Rezoning Amendment Bylaw Number 5961, 2023. The minutes record the receipt of 287 public submissions and presentations from the applicant and a resident, but do not record a final decision or vote.

Regular Council Meeting

Council approved two development variance permits to modify zoning bylaws for properties on Lefoy Road and Mt. Griffin Road. Additionally, Council referred a request to purchase and operate Lincoln Lanes Bowling Centre to Administration for a report.

• Referred request to purchase and operate Lincoln Lanes (3510 25 Avenue) to Administration for report
• Approved Development Variance Permit DVP00608 for 5975 Lefoy Road to reduce loading spaces and increase building frontage
• Authorized issuance of DVP00608 for 5975 Lefoy Road upon satisfaction of conditions
• Approved Development Variance Permit DVP00606 for 900 Mt. Griffin Road to allow construction on slopes over 30% and increase wall/fence heights
• Authorized issuance of DVP00606 for 900 Mt. Griffin Road (4-2)

Public Hearing

The City of Vernon held a public hearing regarding Bylaw 5963 to rezone 7616 Okanagan Landing Road from R5: Four-plex Housing Residential to RH1: Low-Rise Apartment Residential for a 56-unit building. Residents expressed concerns regarding density, traffic safety, and height. No final decision or vote on the bylaw was recorded in these minutes.

Committee of the Whole

Council endorsed the 2023-2026 Council Strategic Plan Action Plan and directed administration to implement it. The committee also updated the Acting Mayor appointments for July, August, and September 2023.

• Endorsed 2023-2026 Council Strategic Plan Action Plan and directed administration to implement it
• Appointed Councillor Mund as Acting Mayor for July 2023
• Appointed Councillor Durning as Acting Mayor for August 2023
• Appointed Councillor Quiring as Acting Mayor for September 2023
• Adopted June 26, 2023 agenda
• Adopted June 12, 2023 meeting minutes

Special Meeting

Council conducted an Annual General Meeting to review the 2022 Annual Report. The Director of Financial Services provided an overview of strategic priorities and organizational achievements. No formal decisions or votes on policy were recorded.

• Adjourned the Annual General Meeting (Carried)

Regular Council Meeting

Council approved two development variance permits for mixed-use and medical properties on 27th Street. A revised fencing plan for Marshall Field was approved, and Administration was directed to draft EV charging amendments for Zoning Bylaw 5000.

• Approved DVP00567 for two storey mixed use building at 3503 27th Street
• Approved DVP00613 for family medicine practice at 2803 27th Street
• Approved installation of fence at Marshall Field per Option 4 (5-2)
• Directed Administration to provide draft EV charging amendments to Zoning Bylaw 5000 by December 2024
• Approved one-year processing extension for OCP and Zoning amendments for Port Okanagan

Regular Council Meeting

Council endorsed the 2023 Canada Day activities in Polson Park and authorized associated funding and insurance. A development variance permit for a property on 11th Street was defeated. Council also received a quarterly report from the Social Planning Council.

• Approved 2023 Canada Day celebrations and activities in Polson Park
• Authorized $12,000 total budget for Canada Day family events
• Approved liability insurance and in-kind support for North Okanagan Canada Day Society
• Confirmed Councillor Durning as Council Liaison to the Canada Day Society
• Directed Administration to issue a no-cost business license to the Canada Day Society
• Denied Development Variance Permit (DVP00587) for 3501 11th Street (3-4)
• Adopted minutes from the May 23, 2023 Regular and Committee of the Whole meetings

Committee of the Whole

Council directed administration to draft zoning amendments to permit secondary suites in all residential zones, including semi-detached dwellings. The body also authorized advocacy letters and meeting requests with provincial ministers regarding housing subsidies, wildfire potential, and funding for a community center.

• Directed administration to draft Zoning Bylaw 5000 amendments to allow secondary suites in all residential zones, including semi-detached dwellings (Carried)
• Authorized Mayor to letter Premier David Eby and Minister Ravi Kahlon to advocate for a review of the Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters (SAFER) program (Carried)
• Approved submission of a motion for consideration at the September 2023 UBCM convention (Carried)
• Directed administration to request meetings with provincial ministers to discuss the Vernon Court House, Aberdeen Plateau fuel load, Active Living Centre funding, and mental health services (Carried)
• Supported potential joint meeting with the Regional District of the North Okanagan regarding food security and the Aberdeen Plateau (Carried)

Special Meeting

Council established a 4% tax revenue increase target for the 2024 operating and infrastructure budget, excluding Recreation Services. The meeting also included updates on the Active Living Centre project and the city's financial position.

• Directed Administration to submit 2024 budget within a 4% tax revenue increase, excluding Recreation Services (Carried)
• Directed Administration to provide updated Active Living Centre debt and borrowing strategy by September 30, 2023 (Carried)
• Added natural asset inventory to strategic priorities (Carried)
• Received verbal update on Active Living Centre borrowing strategy for information (Carried)
• Received verbal update on HR contract negotiations, salary review, and recruitment for information (Carried)
• Received May 2023 Budget Survey Results for information (Carried)
• Received report on City's Current Financial Situation for information (Carried)
• Received draft Council Strategic Plan for information (Carried)

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole adopted the Council Strategic Plan 2023-2026 following a presentation by Civic Excellence. Council provided feedback on the overall vision and requested minor wording edits before approval.

• Adopted the Strategic Plan 2023-2026 with noted amendments
• Adopted the May 23, 2023 meeting agenda
• Adopted the May 8, 2023 Committee of the Whole minutes

Regular Council Meeting

Council approved two development variance permits for a 12-unit mobile home project and an industrial business park. The city also amended its firearms bylaw, flag policy, and Council Code of Responsible Conduct.

• Approved DVP00468 for 12 mobile home sites at 4701 Pleasant Valley Road
• Approved DVP00600 for an industrial business park at 3201 45th Avenue
• Amended Firearms and Weapons Bylaw 5399 to remove section 9.a regarding Bylaw Enforcement Officers
• Adopted amended Flag Policy
• Adopted amended Council Code of Responsible Conduct Policy
• Reaffirmed support for Zoning Application 00396 (Resort Villages at Predator Ridge)