Director recognizes need for additional funding
Area “D” Director Tom Siddon recognized the need for additional funding sources for small water purveyors at the Thursday, February 20 regional district board meeting.
He added a source protection study for Kaleden Irrigation District’s water supply to a list of possible projects up for funding from the Okanagan Basin Water Board’s water conservation and quality improvement grant application.
Siddon also made the pitch to OBWB President, Dr. Anna Warwick Sears, encouraging the OBWB to provide financial support to small water districts.
The KID, faces problems similar to other irrigation districts in the region as Interior Health continues to move forward with its 43210 water quality protocol.
The policy would have small water purveyors potentially invest millions in additional filtration and treatment procedures.
Directors have change of heart over change requests
Last minute changes of heart amongst a number of directors threatened to derail second reading of the regional district budget at the February 20 regular board meeting.
A request for revival of a defeated change request for Climate Action funding was revived after an earlier meeting discussed the potential failure of the regional district’s present climate action program.
That request elicited a second one for revival of another failed change request for additional support staff for the regional district’s ancillary agencies, at a cost of $73,000.
After some discussion, and a threat by Oliver rural Director Allan Patton to bring all previously rejected requests back to the table, the board defeated an alternative motion and gave the budget second reading.
The document has already been presented to the public for approval in the region’s various member municipalities and electoral areas.
Carriage House legislation in Area “H” moves to public hearing
A site specific bylaw that will allow carriage houses as a permitted use in Area “H” received first and second reading and will proceed to public hearing.
The bylaw will allow 12 parcels in a development at 590 East Similkameen Road to contain carriage houses.
“A broader amendment will be coming at a later date,” Area “H” Director Brad Hope told the board on February 20.
“We’re comfortable with this.”
Certain specifics are legislated in the carriage house legislation. They must be:
– subordinate in size to the principal residence on the property;
– compliment but not replicate the principal residence;
– respect the scale and built form of neighbouring properties; and
– respect the privacy of adjacent neighbours by trying to minimize overlook and shadowing impacts.
