Minutes

Regular Council Meeting

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Council Chambers/Video Conference
10150 Bottom Wood Lake Road
Lake Country, British Columbia V4V 2M1
Council Present:
  • Mayor Blair Ireland
  • Councillor Tricia Brett
  • Councillor Heather Irvine
  • Councillor Todd McKenzie, electronically
  • Councillor Bib Patel
  • Councillor Cara Reed
Council Absent:
  • Councillor Michael Lewis
Staff Present:
  • Paul Gipps, Chief Administrative Officer
  • Jeremy Frick, Director of Planning & Development
  • Trevor James, Chief Financial Officer
  • Darren Lee, Fire Chief
  • Matthew Salmon, Director of Infrastructure & Development Engineering
  • Brad Savoury, Director of Legal Services and Risk Management
  • Reyna Seabrook, Director of Corporate Services
  • Matt Vader, Director of Parks, Recreation & Culture
  • Carie Liefke, Manager of Current Planning
  • Steven Gubbels, Manager of Development
  • Ruth Sulentich, Economic Development and Public Engagement Specialist
  • Scott Unser, Public Works Manager
  • Richard Wagner, Manager of Finance
  • Brian Zurek, Manager of Long Range Planning
  • Makayla Ablitt, Legislative & FOI Coordinator
  • Travis Tonn, Support Analyst
  • Lauren Sanbrooks, Grant Funding Specialist

We acknowledge that we are conducting our business today on the unceded territory of squilx”/syilx (Okanagan) peoples. As a Council, we recognize the importance of doing our best to build respectful relationships that contribute to stewarding the land and waters in the community with integrity and consideration for future generations.

The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.n.

 

  • 2025-07-149 It was moved and seconded

    THAT the Regular Council Meeting Agenda of July 8, 2025 be adopted.

    Carried.
  • 2025-07-150 It was moved and seconded

    THAT the Regular Council Meeting Minutes of June 17, 2025 be adopted.

    Carried.
  • Live! In Lake Country FREE concerts are happening each Friday evening until August 15th at Swalwell Park (10090 Bottom Wood Lake Rd) from 7:00-9:00pm and the Farmers Market vendors are open for business in the park from 3:00pm.  Bring a blanket or lawn chair for seating in the park. Carpool, walk or cycle to the park as parking is limited and onsite parking is designated for those with mobility challenges and Accessible Parking Permits; and leave pets at home where they feel save and cool and aren’t overwhelmed by the noise and large crowd of people
  • Stay Safe and cool during summer heat.
    • As the summer temperatures rise, we want to encourage Lake Country residents to regularly check on older adults, infants and children, anyone under-housed with fewer options to avoid heat, those doing a lot of physical activity or working outside, and people with chronic disease or mental illness for signs of heat-related illness. Make sure they are keeping cool and drinking plenty of fluids. Check on those who are unable to leave their homes, and people whose judgment may be impaired.
    • Residents may wish to cool down during the extended hours of operation at the Trethewey Splash Park at Swalwell Park (10090 Bottom Wood Lake Rd); or one of the Lake Country community or regional waterfront parks on Wood Lake, Kalamalka Lake and Okanagan Lake. Residents and summer visitors can also take breaks by visiting air-conditioned spaces in the community such as Winfield Arena, Municipal Hall and the Lake Country Branch, ORL, restaurants and shops during regular hours of operation.
    • A Free 24/7 potable water station is located at the NEXUS activity hub/ Winfield Arena (9830 Bottom Wood Lake Rd). Bring your own bottle and fill it with fresh drinking water from the easily accessible water station in the east side of the parking lot.

Application to allow a welding and fabrication business out of an existing accessory building on an RLP – Rural Large Parcel 1.

  • 2025-07-151 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Temporary Use Permit TUP00107 (Attachment A in the Report to Council dated July 8, 2025) for the property at 5550 Todd Road, legally described as Lot 1 Section 6 Township 10 Osoyoos Division Yale District Plan Kap53967, (PID: 019-115-504), to allow a welding and fabrication business within an existing accessory building, be approved.

    AND THAT prior to issuance of Temporary Use Permit TUP00107 an application for a Driveway Access Permit be submitted to the District of Lake Country for review.

    Carried.

Application to authorize the reduction of the front setback from 15 m to 5.73 m for an existing agricultural building

  • 2025-07-152 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Development Variance Permit DVP00400 (Attachment A to the Report to Council dated July 8, 2025) for the property located at 11911 Okanagan Centre Rd E, legally described as LOT 4 SECTION 22 OSOYOOS DIV OF YALE LAND DISTRICT PLAN KAP444 TOWNSHIP 20; (PID: 012-386-111), to reduce the front setback from 15 m to 5.73 m for an existing agricultural building, be approved;

    AND THAT prior to issuance of Development Variance Permit DVP00400 an application for a Driveway Access Permit for the subject property be submitted to the District of Lake Country for review.

    Carried.

To authorize construction of a secondary suite in the existing single-family dwelling with variance to the allowable maximum floor area.

  • 2025-07-153 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Development Variance Permit DVP00415 (Attachment A to the Report to Council dated July 08, 2025) for the property located at 10310 Tersa Rd, legally described as LOT 16 SECTION 11 OSOYOOS DIV OF YALE LAND DISTRICT PLAN KAP79528 TOWNSHIP 20; (PID: 026-483-459), to vary the allowable maximum floor area of a secondary suite, be approved.

    Carried.

Rezoning a property from RR1 – Rural Residential 1 to RR2 – Rural Residential 2

  • 2025-07-154 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Zoning Amendment (Z0000336) Bylaw 1288, 2025 be read a first, second and third time.

    AND THAT prior to Zoning Amendment (Z0000336) Bylaw 1288, 2025 being considered for adoption, the applicant be required to:

    a) apply for and obtain a variance to the requirement to connect to the community water system as per the District’s Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw, and

    b) register a Land Title Act section 219 covenant on title establishing maintenance and waste collection processes on the unopened-unmaintained road right of way.

    Carried.

Industrial Rezoning Proposal for Lands Located

  • 2025-07-155 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Zoning Amendment (Z0000346) Bylaw 1292, 2025 be read a first and second time;

    AND THAT Zoning Amendment (Z0000346) Bylaw 1292, 2025 be forwarded to a Public Hearing.

    Carried.

Copper Hill Land Use Changes Proposed for Residential, Light Industrial and Park Purposes – Consideration of 2nd Reading

  • 2025-07-156 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Official Community Plan Amendment (OCP00062) Bylaw 1284, 2025, as amended, be considered in conjunction with the District’s financial plan and waste management plan;

    AND THAT Official Community Plan Amendment (OCP00062) Bylaw 1284, 2025 be read a second time, as amended;

    AND THAT Zoning Amendment (Z0000253) Bylaw 1285, 2025 be read a second time, as amended;

    AND THAT prior to adoption of Zoning Amendment (Z0000253) Bylaw 1285, 2025 and OCP Amendment (OCP00062) Bylaw 1284, 2025, the applicant be required to:

    1. construct the emergency egress route through the subject property (PID 013-537-270), from Sherman Drive to the McCarthy Road extension, and enter into an agreement to make such route open and available to the District and the public prior to adoption of the above noted bylaws and prior to being dedicated as a road right of way; and
    2. enter into an agreement with the District, establishing that:
      1. the egress route is to be fully constructed and dedicated to the District prior to the first building in CD-16 Area B and/or Area C being occupied;
      2. the applicant will transfer approximately 1.8 ha (4.4 acres) of land (as shown on Attachment F to the Report to Council dated July 8, 2025) to the District for institutional purposes; and
      3. the applicant will transfer undevelopable land (as shown on Attachment F to the Report to Council dated July 8, 2025) to the District for park conservation purposes.
    Carried.

Grant-in-Aid application for Lake Country Community Fridge

  • 2025-07-157 It was moved and seconded

    THAT the Grant-in-Aid request from Lake Country Community Fridge in the amount of $2,000 to assist with ongoing costs including food, structure needs and maintenance, be approved.

    Carried.

Application for communication and engagement of the 2023 budget

  • 2025-07-158 It was moved and seconded

    THAT staff be directed to submit an application for the 2025 UBCM Community Excellence Awards for the District’s communication and engagement regarding financial plans and taxation increases.

    Carried.

To consider a Paid-On-Call Compensation Policy and new Fire Department Technology Stipend

Councillor Reed declared a conflict of interest due to a personal relationship and left the meeting at 8:09 p.m.

  • 2025-07-159 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Paid-on-Call Firefighter Compensation Policy 222, 2025 be adopted.

    Carried.

    Councillor Reed returned to the meeting at 8:13 p.m.


Read a 1st, 2nd, 3rd time June 3, 2025.

  • 2025-07-160 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Road Closure (RC2025-003) Bylaw 1253, 2024 be adopted.

    Carried.

Councillor McKenzie appreciates the opportunity to attend remotely and has enjoyed experiencing other communities in his travels.  

Councillor Reed acknowledged Councillor McKenzie dedication to the community.  She thanked the firefighters for their support on the Whelan Creek Wildfire over the weekend, as well as the staff who supported the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).  

Councillor Patel echoed Councillor Reeds respects to firefighters.  He is proud to be part of the Lake Country Community. 

Councillor Brett echoed Councillor Patels comments.  She reminded the community to drive slowly and be cautious on the roads.  Councillor Brett noted stone fruits are in season and many goods are being produced locally.

Councillor Irvine is excited to see the progress on the emergency egress for Copper Hill. 

Mayor Ireland echoed comments from around the table.  He emphasized the importance of taking care of each other.  

The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:21 p.m.

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