FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 05, 2017

Mayor Doug Findlater rose and reported that, at its in-camera meeting August 8, 2017, West Kelowna Council agreed to authorize staff to enter into an agreement with the owner of 2750 Olalla Road, a property adjacent to the city's Fire Hall 32 at 2708 Olalla Road, to include Fire Hall 32 in a proposed comprehensive development zone (CDZ) involving the two properties.

The owner of 2750 Olalla Road, TC Development Group, has expressed interest in purchasing the Fire Hall 32 property to be included in the CDZ for a multi-residential development, however the City of West Kelowna requires more time to thoroughly analyze the future of the Fire Hall property.

Council determined the best approach is to allow the property to be included in the upcoming planning process, but the move does not commit the city to sell the fire hall property to the owner of 2750 Olalla, nor commits the municipality to any costs associated with the proposed CDZ. Rather the agreement allows the CDZ application to be processed with fire, police or ambulance service as a permitted use within the new zoning, while giving the city time to consider its options for the fire hall site.

The city’s Facilities Master Plan recommends that Fire Hall 32 be decommissioned and a new, larger facility be constructed, either at another location or through a partnership with surrounding properties at the current site.

The proposed new zone would provide the highest and best use for the property, maximizing the value of the property should the city decide to sell it.

The proposed CDZ will be presented to Council at an upcoming public meeting for consideration of first and second reading and will receive a public review via a public hearing if it passes second reading. In the meantime, staff will further analyze the proposal and the plans for a new and/or re-located fire hall and report back to Council.