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 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
  • 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
  • Shaun Lesowski, Parks and Facilities Manager
  • Greg Price, Manager of Building and Bylaw Services
  • Ruth Sulentich, Economic Development and Public Engagement Specialist
  • Scott Unser, Public Works Manager
  • Richard Wagner, Manager of Finance
  • Kiel Wilkie, Utility Manager
  • Brian Zurek, Manager of Long Range Planning
  • Makayla Ablitt, Legislative & FOI Coordinator
  • Travis Tonn, Support Analyst
  • Lauren Sanbrooks, Grant Funding Specialist
  • Mike Mitchell, Utility Operations Manager
  • Philippa Harding, Manager of Corporate Services

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. 

  • 2025-06-135 It was moved and seconded

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

    Carried.
  • 2025-06-136 It was moved and seconded

    THAT the Regular Council Meeting Minutes of June 3, 2025 be adopted.

    Carried.
  • There are two more weekends to get busy around your yard taking action to FireSmart your property by trimming trees and hedges and then drop the clippings off at the FireSmart Green waste bins around the community. The bins will be removed for the summer season after Monday, June 23, and will come back in the fall.
  • The District is accepting submissions to the street banner contest until June 30 at 12:00pm.
  • Anyone with an approved Property Tax Exemption must submit their annual renewal by July 15, 2025.
  • The next Pop-up Recycling Depot is scheduled for Saturday, June 28 (10am-2pm) at the corner of Hill Rd and Main Street.
  • With rising summer temperatures, everyone in the community is reminded to check in on neighbours and friends; drink plenty of water; seek cool, shady places in the heat of the day and enjoy the lakes to stay cool.
Copper Hill Land Use Changes Proposed for Residential, Light Industrial and Park Purposes
  • 2025-06-137 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw 1284, 2025 be read a first time;

    AND THAT Zoning Amendment Bylaw 1285, 2025 be read a first time.

    Carried.

To vary (remove) the requirement for an emergency access route for a cul-de-sac greater than 200m in length, as specified in Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw 1121, 2020, Section G.6.4.

  • 2025-06-138 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Development Variance Permit DVP00419 (Attachment A in the Report to Council dated June 17th, 2025) for the property legally described as Section 11 Osoyoos Div of Yale Land District, Township 20 Part E 1/2 OF W 1/2 Except Plan 19644, KAP44270, KAP67056, KAP77161, KAP79528 & KAP82523 & Section 11 Osoyoos Div of Yale Land District Township 20 Part E 1/2 Except Plan 19644, B17161 A (PID 013-537-270), be approved.

     

    Carried.

    OPPOSED: Councillor Reed


Application to allow short term rental accommodation for an Agri-Tourism business on a property in the Agricultural Land Reserve.

  • 2025-06-139 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Temporary Use Permit TUP00108 (Attachment A in the Report to Council dated June 17, 2025) for the property at 1525 Camp Road (PID: 012-392-821), to allow short term rental accommodation (agri-tourism accommodation) for an Agri-Tourism business, be approved.

    Carried.
Application to allow short term rental accommodation for an Agri-Tourism business on a property in the Agricultural Land Reserve.
  • 2025-06-140 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Temporary Use Permit TUP00109 (Attachment A in the Report to Council dated June 17, 2025) for the property at 14041 Talbot Road (PID: 013-538-616), to allow agri-tourism accommodation for an Agri-Tourism business, be approved.

    Carried.

Application to allow agri-tourism accommodation for an Agri-Tourism business on a property in the Agricultural Land Reserve.

  • 2025-06-141 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Temporary Use Permit TUP00110 (Attachment A in the Report to Council dated June 17, 2025) for the property at 14405 East Hill Road (PID: 011-159-278), to allow agri-tourism accommodation for an Agri-Tourism business, be approved.

    Main Motion Carried as Amended.
  • Amendment:
    2025-06-142 It was moved and seconded

    THAT the main motion be amended to include:

    AND THAT the applicant be required to report back mid-way through the permit process on the use of the RV site. 

    Amendment to Main Motion Carried.

    Main motion as amended reads as follows:

    THAT Temporary Use Permit TUP00110 (Attachment A in the Report to Council dated June 17, 2025) for the property at 14405 East Hill Road (PID: 011-159-278), to allow agri-tourism accommodation for an Agri-Tourism business, be approved;

    AND THAT the applicant be required to report back mid-way through the permit process on the use of the RV site. 


To authorize construction of a proposed addition to the existing single-family dwelling with variance to the minimum side yard setback regulations.

  • 2025-06-143 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Development Variance Permit DVP00407 (Attachment A to the Report to Council dated June 17, 2025) for the property located at 9710 Okanagan Centre Rd E, legally described as LOT 18 SECTION 10 OSOYOOS DIV OF YALE LAND DISTRICT PLAN KAP23474 TOWNSHIP 20; (PID: 006-413-293), to reduce the side yard setback requirements to the south side for the development of an addition to the existing single-family dwelling, be approved.

    Carried.

To consider participation in a regional curbside food waste collection program

  • 2025-06-144 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Council not support the District of Lake Country's participation in the Regional District of the Central Okanagan’s Curbside Food Waste Program at this time.

    Carried.
To consider approval of the 2024 Annual Report
  • 2025-06-145 It was moved and seconded

    THAT the 2024 Annual Report be approved.

    Carried.
PlanH Healthy Communities Grant – Community Connectedness Application
  • 2025-06-146 It was moved and seconded

    THAT an application to the PlanH Healthy Communities Grant – Community Connectedness for up to $5,000, be supported;

    AND THAT staff be authorized to apply for, receive and manage the grant funding on behalf of the District of Lake Country.

    AND THAT if successful, the 2025 Financial Plan be amended to include the receipt and expenditure of the grant funds.

    Carried.
To authorize execution of the Annual Operating Agreement for BC Transit service
  • 2025-06-147 It was moved and seconded

    THAT the 2025-2026 Annual Operating Agreement between the District of Lake Country and BC Transit, for transit service, for the period April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026 be authorized.

    Carried.

To comply with applicable reporting legislation

  • 2025-06-148 It was moved and seconded

    THAT the 2024 Schedules of Financial Information be approved.

    Carried.

Councillor Lewis attended the Peter Greer Elementary's Bringing Home the Salmon Event.  Over the years he has been impressed with Peter Greer's great efforts to engage with our Indigenous neighbours, and finds it very inspiring and meaningful.

Councillor Reed asked for bus shelters and benches installed at the bus stops along Okanagan Centre Road East.  She followed up about her notice of motion from April 1, 2025 regarding Council Interaction with Developers Policy 207, and asked Staff for clarification regarding meeting procedures and the Mayors authority to rescind a motion.

Councillor Brett echoed comments from Councillor Reed regarding Okanagan Centre Road East, and asked that walking and bike paths be kept in mind while new developments are being built in the area.  She attended the Keeping it Rural Conference at the Airport Inn.  It was a fantastic conference and she enjoyed the topic of economic reconciliation.    

Councillor McKenzie announced that Lake Country won an award again for Boots and Boats at the Turtle Bay Marina.  He noted that people have been camping along Pelmewash after hours.

Councillor Irvine is excited to see plans for the egress on Copper Hill starting and thanked everyone who participated.

Mayor Ireland noted that the egress on Copper Hill has been a long time coming and he is excited to see it happening. Het met with the Minister of Housing who is going to come visit Lake Country in July, and gave Brittny Anderson, Minister of State for Local Governments and Rural Communities, a tour of Lake Country discussing what is happening in the community and where support could be used.  Mayor Ireland attended the whole Keeping it Rural Conference, where several topics pertinent to Lake Country were discussed.  He announced Saturday June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day, and suggested that people read an indigenous book in celebration.   

The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 9:21 p.m.

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