There was an impassioned plea to save the Kelowna Springs Golf Club (KSGC) from possible, future industrial land designation at city council Monday (July 25).
Coun. Luke Stack made a motion to amend the 2040 Official Community Plan (OCP) to have the KSGC property deemed recreational, noting two specific pillars in the OCP.
香蕉视频直播淥ne pillar is take action on climate change, and the other pillar is protect and restore our environment,香蕉视频直播� said Stack.
The course, located at 480 Penno Road, is bordered by industrial lands to the west and south, and property in the Agricultural Land Reserve to the north and east. It was identified as a major opportunity for new industrial development in 2020. According to a staff report, at that time, the property owner approached the city to explore opportunities for either a commercial or industrial land use designation change.
Stack added that over the past 30 years several other golf courses have been turned into commercial and residential developments. He also pointed out that Shadow Ridge Golf Course was purchased by the city for future expansion of Kelowna International Airport, which he said he supported, and Michaelbrook Golf Course has recently designated future park space.
香蕉视频直播淪o I argue that the collective loss of these green spaces is taking its toll on our citizens,香蕉视频直播� he added. 香蕉视频直播淥ne by one they are being converted to other uses. Cumulatively the loss is significant.香蕉视频直播�
He also referenced the 2022 citizens香蕉视频直播� survey, which noted a perception of worsening quality of life among Kelowna residents.
香蕉视频直播淚 believe the loss of this private recreational space will contribute to a further perception that the quality of life is decreasing in Kelowna. At least that would be consistent with the theme of the people that are writing me the letters. They view this as a tremendous loss to our community.香蕉视频直播�
Discussion of Stack香蕉视频直播檚 motion also generated a testy exchange between Coun. Maxine DeHart and Mayor Colin Basran.
香蕉视频直播淛ust to set the record straight Kelowna Springs is not a private golf course,香蕉视频直播� said DeHart. 香蕉视频直播淚 book hundreds and hundreds of clients from my hotel there. The public can go on that course.香蕉视频直播�
She was interrupted by Coun. Wooldridge and the mayor.
香蕉视频直播淚 might dare say that it香蕉视频直播檚 a conflict if you香蕉视频直播檙e sending business there,香蕉视频直播� said Basran.
DeHart answered that hotels all send business to KSGC, to which Basran replied it香蕉视频直播檚 clear DeHart was making a decision on something she has a business relationship with.
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 not the one who needs to decide nor is it the business of the clerk or the city manager to advise you,香蕉视频直播� he said.
DeHart argued if that were the case then she would have to excuse herself from everywhere she sends business.
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 talking about tourism,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淚 won香蕉视频直播檛 be doing that because there香蕉视频直播檚 a lot of things today I would have had to excuse myself from.香蕉视频直播�
DeHart said she supports the need for more industrial land, but was torn about the KSGC property. Coun. Mohini Singh and Coun. Charlie Hodge was in favour of Stack香蕉视频直播檚 motion.
Mayor Basran reiterated that the property owner approached city staff with the expectation they were going to cease operating and that the industrial designation was approved by council in the OCP.
香蕉视频直播淭o now go 香蕉视频直播榦ops we missed that let香蕉视频直播檚 relook at that香蕉视频直播� when the owners have made life-altering decisions based on a decision by council just doesn香蕉视频直播檛 sit well. I think for the greater good of our community we香蕉视频直播檝e done the right thing.香蕉视频直播�
Stack admitted he didn香蕉视频直播檛 fully appreciate the potential industrial designation for KSGC when it was going through the OCP process.
香蕉视频直播淲hen it was highlighted to me what we had passed it really grabbed my attention. So I香蕉视频直播檒l take ownership of that.香蕉视频直播�
The motion passed with councillors Donn and Wooldridge and Mayor Basran opposed. Coun. Brad Sieben excused himself from the discussion and vote citing a conflict of interest as he provides insurance services to the property owner.
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gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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