The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen is considering a rezoning request that would allow the construction of an RV park within the industrial land in Okanagan Falls.
“There is a significant amount of vacant industrial land within Okanagan Falls, so the proposed and use change from Industrial to Commercial will not have a detrimental impact on the supply of industrial land in the area,” said the applicant in a statement to the RDOS. “Rezoning the property for a Recreation Vehicle Park will certainly improve and enhance the appearance of the property viewed from Highway 97. The proposed RV Park will promote and encourage tourism within Okanagan Falls.”
The 3.76 hectare lot is located east of Highway 97 in Okanagan Falls and north of Weyerhaeuser Road. According to the site context report from RDOS, the surrounding pattern of development is characterized by industrial and agricultural properties.
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Nine members of the public attended the public information meeting about the rezoning process for the land in question on Sept. 11. At that meeting, the Electoral Area D Advisory Planning Commission (APC) resolved to recommend the subject development application be denied.
“As the regional board is aware, administration does not generally support the creation of ad hoc or spot zonings where they are divorced from broader strategic land use objectives,” reads a statement by the APC to the RDOS.
The ACP’s main concern with rezoning the property is it will impact their focus on the retention of industrial lands with Okanagan Falls.
“The applicant’s proposal to re-designate and rezone this parcel from industrial to commercial does not meet these OCP objectives and policies,” said the ACP in a statement to the RDOS. “The proposal would convert a portion of Okanagan Falls’ industrial land base and would allow the re-designation of land to commercial outside the town site before existing vacant parcels are developed.
The recommendation to deny the applicant’s request will be considered at the next RDOS board meeting as the applicant was not able to attend the Sept. 20 meeting.
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