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, electronically
  • Councillor Heather Irvine
  • Councillor Michael Lewis
  • Councillor Todd McKenzie
  • Councillor Bib Patel
  • Councillor Cara Reed
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
  • Reyna Seabrook, Director of Corporate Services
  • Matt Vader, Director of Parks, Recreation & Culture
  • Carie Liefke, Manager of Current Planning
  • Steven Gubbels, Manager of Development
  • Philippa Harding, Manager of Corporate Services
  • Scott Unser, Public Works Manager
  • Richard Wagner, Manager of Finance
  • Kiel Wilkie, Utility Manager
  • Makayla Ablitt, Legislative & FOI Coordinator
  • Travis Tonn, Support Analyst

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.m. 

  • 2025-03-075 It was moved and seconded

    THAT the Regular Council Meeting Agenda of March 18, 2025 be adopted.

    Carried.
  • 2025-03-076 It was moved and seconded

    THAT the Regular Council Meeting Minutes of March 4, 2025 be adopted.

    Carried.

Mayor Ireland announced Melissa Tesche as the new Executive Director at the Okanagan Basin Water Board.  

Spring street sweeping is underway now. Residents are reminded to park off the road as much as possible so the equipment can do an effective job. Crews will sweep debris from the major roads at night and residential roads during the day.


The FireSmart green waste bins are now available at Fire Station 71 on Okanagan Centre Rd East for anyone that is doing FireSmart pruning and trimming on their property and wants to drop off the green waste debris.


Important infrastructure renewal projects are happening this spring, so please check the District projects page on the website at lakecountry.bc.ca/projects to keep up to date with water, drainage and roads works in your neighbourhood.


The first Pop-up Recycling Depot will be happening Saturday, March 22 at the corner of Hill Rd and Main St. 

Annual Commission update to Council presented by Sharon McCoubrey. 

To vary the Permitted Lot Configurations in the RLPO zone (Schedule A to RLPO) as defined in the Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007.

  • 2025-03-077 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Development Variance Permit DVP00411 (Attachment A in the Report to Council dated March 18, 2025) for the property at 5617 Oyama Lake Road, legally described as Lot 2 Section 31 ODYD KAP84855 Township 21; PID 027-227-120, be approved.

    Carried.

To vary the permitted storeys of a proposed single-family dwelling at 16166 Commonage Road

  • 2025-03-078 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Development Variance Permit DVP00414 (Attachment A in the Report to Council dated March 18, 2025) for the property at 16166 Commonage Rd, legally described as Lot 5 Sec 8 Twp 14 ODYD Plan KAP85591, PID 027-336-409, be approved.

    Carried.

To authorize self-storage facility in the basement at Lakewood Mall for up to three (3) years.

The Applicants, Hans Edstrand and Darcy Ulmer, answered questions from Council regarding the proposed application.

  • 2025-03-079 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Temporary Use Permit TUP00106 (Attachment A in the Report to Council dated March 18, 2025) for the property at 11852 Hwy 97, legally described as LOT A SEC 22 TWP 20 ODYD PLAN KAP84477 EXCEPT PLAN EPP7410 (PID 027-158-098), to allow the temporary use of a self-storage facility in the basement of Lakewood Mall, be approved.

    Carried.

Application to allow reconstruction of an existing dwelling on a property within the Agricultural Land Reserve.

  • 2025-03-080 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Agricultural Land Reserve ALR00191 application for the property at 14550 Middle Bench Road, legally described as LOT B DISTRICT LOT 7 OSOYOOS DIV OF YALE LAND DISTRICT PLAN KAP53917 EXCEPTPLAN KAP73100 PID: 019-103-620, to allow reconstruction of an existing dwelling, be approved.

    Carried.

Adoption of Development Cost Charge Bylaw 1233, 2024 and Development Cost Charges Update Policy 214, 2025

  • 2025-03-081 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Development Cost Charge (DCC) Amendment Bylaw 1233, 2024 be adopted;

    AND THAT the Development Cost Charges Update Policy 214, 2025 be adopted.

    Carried.

    OPPOSED: Councillor Lewis


Recommendations on how to manage development within District Flood plains.

  • 2025-03-082 It was moved and seconded

    THAT staff be directed to create a Flood Management Strategy Bylaw.

    Carried.

Prescribed burn of 3.8 hectares in Jack Seaton Park

For Information.

To advise of the upcoming Council Remuneration Task Force member appointments.

  • 2025-03-083 It was moved and seconded

    THAT staff be directed to proceed with soliciting members for Council Remuneration Task Force as per Council Remuneration Task Force (CRTF) Policy 154.

    Carried.

For adoption.


Read a 1st, and 2nd time October 1, 2024.  Public Hearing January 14, 2025.  Read a 3rd time January 14, 2025.    

  • 2025-03-084 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Zoning Amendment (Backyard Chickens) Bylaw 1246, 2024 be adopted.

    Carried.

For adoption. 


Read a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd time March 4, 2025.

  • 2025-03-085 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Zoning Amendment (Z0000340) Bylaw 1268, 2025 be adopted.

    Carried.

For adoption.


Read a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd time March 4, 2025.

  • 2025-03-086 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Sanitary Sewer Regulation and Rate Amendment Bylaw 1270, 2025 be adopted.

    Carried.

For adoption.


Read a 1st time January 21, 2025.  Read a 2nd, and 3rd time March 4, 2025.

Councillor Lewis declared a conflict of interest due to an indirect property ownership relationship and left the meeting at 8:58 p.m.  The Corporate Officer noted an administrative change to the headings in Bylaw 1261 to reference lot 63 rather than lot 64.

  • 2025-03-087 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Zoning Amendment (Z0000269) Bylaw 1261, 2025 be adopted; 

    AND THAT Zoning Amendment (Z0000274) Bylaw 1259, 2025 be adopted.

    Carried.

    Councillor Lewis returned to the meeting at 9:14 p.m.


Councillor Brett noted travelling as a Canadian right now is a unique experience, and that our Country has a lot of support from other parts of the world.  She thanked Dr. McCoubrey for her time as Chair on the Public Art Advisory Commission and looks forward to working with Janice Larson in the future. 

Councillor Lewis noted it is spring break, reminding the community to be on the look out for children playing.  He noted Lake Country's 30th anniversary is coming up on May 2.  

Councillor Reed has had requests from Carr's Landing residents to ask for the FireSmart bin to be reinstalled at Station 81.  She made a notice of motion for the next Regular Council Meeting to delete clause 4.4 from the Council Interaction with Developers Policy 207, 2023.  She would like the opportunity to discuss and reconsider the clause with the amount of development occurring in the community. Councillor Reed thanked Councillor Brett for her insight and questions and comments particularly on those related to Zoning Amendment Bylaws 1261, 2025 & 1259, 2025, Lot 63 and 64 Tyndall Road.  

Councillor Patel attended Local Government Leadership Authority (LGLA) conference last week focused on interactions outside of the District, particularly with Ministers and First Nation's Authorities.  During the conference he felt a good sense that Lake Country on the right track, and was thankful to be able to attend. 

Councillor McKenzie echoed Councillor Reeds comments for her notice of motion, and thanked Staff for their contributions during this busy time. 

Councillor Irvine echoed comments from around the table.  She announced that the citizens bulletin is out and looks forward to community members feedback.  She has been enjoying the light-heartedness Staff is able to bring to presentations on in-depth and heavy topics.

Mayor Ireland noted there was a lot of snow in the alpine over the weekend, and that our water situation is looking better than it was a couple of weeks ago.

The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 9:22 p.m.

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