Kelowna council voted unanimously to rezone agricultural land in the north end of the city for a new regional transit facility, but it did not happen without some debate.

The city submitted an application to the Agricultural Land Commission to remove 40 acres of land, just south of UBC Okanagan (4690 Highway 97), from the Agriculture Land Reserve (ALR) in 2021. It was approved by the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) in 2022. 

The property was purchased by the city in 2017 with the intent to use it for a transit facility near the roundabout at John Hindle Drive and Highway 97.

Councillors Mohini Singh and Charlie Hodge opposed the application when it was before council in 2021.

香蕉视频直播淭hat was then, this is now,香蕉视频直播� Singh said at council香蕉视频直播檚 Oct. 7 meeting. 香蕉视频直播淐ouncil in its wisdom approved of this coming out even though we both spoke passionately against it.香蕉视频直播�

Sometimes it香蕉视频直播檚 just time to move on, she added.

Hodge noted that while the ALR must be preserved, the transit facility is also needed.

香蕉视频直播淲e can香蕉视频直播檛 afford to lose any more ALR land, I wanted to make a point of that. If that means as suggested that in future any ALR land that is shifted is somehow compensated, that we find a way to replace it," claimed Hodge. 

Coun. Ron Cannan pointed out that protecting agricultural land is a city priority.

香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 torn on it,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淏ut I will support this because I think the land commission is ultimately the highest authority on this.香蕉视频直播�

Coun. Gord Lovegrove argued that the key is protecting active ALR land.

香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檝e always been pushing as part of our agricultural priority that we increase the acres of active and no net loss to our active (ALR).香蕉视频直播�

The new transit facility will replace the Hardy Street bus yard which was built 1998 and designed to support 70 buses. It currently houses 109 vehicles.

It香蕉视频直播檚 expected the new facility will cost more than $100 million.