Bypass suggestion resurfaces at city hall

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted May 27, 2015 at 1:00 AM— updated May 27, 2015 at 5:57 AM

http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/

Vernon politicians insist a bypass must be on the radar to ease long-term congestion. Council members urged staff Monday to add reference of a highway bypass to the draft master transportation plan. “We live in a community severed by a highway. It’s killing us in terms of economic development,” said Coun. Brian Quiring. However, staff say a bypass was not included in the document because traffic modelling doesn’t show a need for such a system until after 2050. “A bypass is not necessarily an economic benefit. They can have a negative impact because people no longer stop in the city,” said Amanda Watson, municipal transportation technician. Coun. Catherine Lord, though, says the city must be prepared for future vehicle demands. “It’s really more about having it talked about than it being off to the side,” she said. In 2008, elected officials of the day shelved the concept of a bypass through Mission Hill and Okanagan Landing because of widespread public opposition. Coun. Juliette Cunningham called for a route to be considered then and she believes a process must still be established. “My role as a councillor is to make a long-term decision for the future of my community after I am gone,” she said. The draft transportation plan covers a variety of issues, including trying to get more people to abandon their vehicles and walk, cycle or use transit. Coun. Scott Anderson says the city shouldn’t be too heavy-handed with its policies. “When the stick approach comes, I’m uncomfortable with it,” he said. Watson says the city’s goal is providing education about transportation options. “We are not taking a carrot and stick approach. In terms of telling people what to do, we don’t do that,” she said. Cunningham also responded to Anderson’s comments. “Some of us do believe in climate change and anything we can do to reduce carbon emissions, is part of the plan,” she said. The draft transportation plan will go before city committees and the public for input.

Climate change to have a new foe in city hall

Posted: Monday, March 2, 2015 8:48 pm Ron Seymour Kelowna Daily Courier
Fighting climate change is good for employment at Kelowna City Hall. A new position, that of energy saving co-ordinator, will be created in the municipal bureaucracy this year, council heard Monday. The new staffer will provide recommendations on the ways in which greenhouse gas emissions from civic operations can be further reduced as the city moves toward its government-mandated, long-term goal of carbon neutrality. “The energy specialist is going to be very important,” Coun. Ryan Donn said after council received its annual briefing from staff on current and planned activities by the city to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Those initiatives ranged from multi-million dollar transit improvements, including new bus routes and transit shelters, down to installation of high-efficiency lights at arenas and swimming pools. Other transportation measures included creating new cycling paths, building more sidewalks, and offering secure bike-storage lockers. “These all make it easier to get around Kelowna without a car,” said sustainability co-ordinator Tracy Guidi, who delivered the report to council. One particular energy-saving measure mentioned by Guidi includes deploying city sidewalk inspectors, who look for broken or cracked pavement that needs fixing, on bicycles. Standard practice has been for the staffers to be driven to an area, walk around for a while, then get picked up again and file their report. As they ride around on bikes, the inspectors can now use a GPS system to upload the precise location of sidewalks that need attention. “It’s instantaneous information,” Guidi said. Coun. Luke Stack said: “Very cool.” Mayor Colin Basran said the city had not only a legal, but a social responsibility to reduce greenhouse gas emissions wherever possible in the hope of sparking similarly responsible behaviour from private businesses and individuals. “I’m quite proud of the work we’re doing,” Basran said. “If we’re going to talk the talk, we have to walk the walk.”

The city has to provide the province with an annual report on all its GHG-reducing strategies to qualify for a refund of the carbon taxes paid by the municipality. In 2015, the city expects to get back about $234,000 in refunded carbon taxes, some of which will go to pay the salary of the new energy saving co-ordinator. Between 2007 and 2013, GHG emissions from all city-owned sources dropped by three per cent, from 8,017 tonnes of carbon dioxide to 7,781 tonnes. But measured against all GHG emissions produced in Kelowna, the city’s efforts are negligible. Through all its buildings, vehicle fleet and other civic operations, such as the wastewater treatment plant, the City of Kelowna generates just one per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions produced within the municipality. Emissions from private vehicles account for about two-thirds of all greenhouse gas emissions in Kelowna, with most of the rest coming from private homes and buildings. And total GHG emissions from all sources in Kelowna actually rose 5.5 per cent between 2007 and 2010, climbing from 698,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide to 736,000 tonnes.

Safety Measures Tried On 25th Street

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Tuesday, 15 July 2014 04:14
Vernon council has given the green light to traffic safety measures for a residential area. Some residents along 25th Street are concerned about speeding vehicles using their road to go north or south, instead of 27th Street. Councillor Brian Quiring says crosswalks will be added at three key intersections as a first step. "Then we want to look at ways to encourage people to use 27th as the north south connector as opposed to using 25th, and we will revisit it in a year and reevaluate how the crosswalks are working," says Quiring. Quiring says some of the problem is from truckers using 25th to go to and from Home Hardware, and he made a motion to work with the store to encourage the trucks to use 27th. Mayor Rob Sawatzky says it's a good first step. "It's a wise way to go about things. Lots of problems aren't solved in one visit. You start, and you work at them, and get them to where they should be," he says. 63% of the residents in the project area support the traffic management measures.
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Traffic calming measures proceed for Vernon neighbourhood
by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Jul 15, 2014 at 6:00 AM
Traffic calming is proceeding in a Vernon neighbourhood but not to the extent originally proposed. City council decided Monday to install crosswalks at three sections of 25th Street as a way of slowing down motorists and enhancing pedestrian safety. “It’s a first step to make that community safer,” said Coun. Brian Quiring. However, other measures such as possibly right-in and right-out access at intersections are on hold until at least 2015. “There are other things we want to consider,” said Quiring. “We are doing the right thing by looking at it further.” The city required 66 per cent support from residents in the immediate neighbourhood for the entire traffic management plan but that fell short at 63 per cent. As a result, staff recommended crosswalks at this time and going back to the residents next year to see how effective the crosswalks have been and if more needs to be done to control motorists. Council has also instructed staff to take immediate steps to contact some of the nearby businesses who generate through traffic on 25th Street. “A significant amount of traffic and problem is coming from trucks and contractors (for local businesses),” said Quiring. “We need to look at how to deal with that.”

Road input drives ahead

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted May 16, 2014 at 1:00 AM

No immediate decisions will be made on possibly changing traffic patterns on a Vernon road. Upwards of 50 people attended an open house Wednesday to discuss a proposal that could see through traffic and left-hand turns limited at key intersections on 25th Street, from Pleasant Valley Road to 46th Avenue. It’s expected the concept won’t go before city council for final approval in July as feedback from residents in the neighbourhood is sought. “We are looking forward to hearing the public’s input,” said Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe. The proposal calls for a centre median at the intersection of 32nd Avenue and 25th Street, two intersections at 25th Street and 39th Avenue and a centre median at 43rd Avenue and 25th Street. City staff say the plan was developed because residents on 25th Street are upset about speed and the volume of vehicles trying to avoid 27th Street. “They are short-cutting and not accessing properties there,” said Amanda Watson, a municipal transportation technician. Watson believes one indication of a problem is a high rate of pets being killed by vehicles. “Parents are concerned about children walking and biking along these streets,” she said of the area. However, Ruth Haskivich, who has lived on 25th Street for 48 years, insists there is not a safety issue. “Very few people are using it to avoid 27th Street. There are just more people living in the neighbourhood,” she said. “They think this will calm traffic down but it won’t. Speeding is not happening at the corners but in between.” Haskivich is recommending pedestrian-operated crosswalk lights and a sidewalk. “We only want a simple solution that benefits everyone,” she said. Sixty-six per cent of the residents within the specific area must approve of the removal of the through and left-turn movements at the three intersections. “There were more people in support (Wednesday) than opposed but one meeting is not everything,” said Watson. “We have given them multiple options for them to put input forward.”

Proposed Traffic Change Questioned

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Thursday, 15 May 2014 06:00
An idea to limit through traffic on a secondary north-south Vernon route, is not sitting well with some elected reps. City staff are getting public input on changes to 25th Street from Pleasant Valley Road to 46th Avenue. Acting mayor Juliette Cunningham says 66 percent of residents in the affected area would have to approve the change, for it to proceed. She says "Residents have always been concerned that people are speeding along there using it as an alternative to 27th street, so staff is looking at ways to minimize the impact on the neighborhood." Cunningham doesn't support the idea "It doesn't sound to me like we were totally aware of the implications of what was being suggested in terms of no through traffic going through there ." Staff say that road's main purpose is to provide access for residents, not to give vehicles another north-south travelling option.

Council challenges changes to 25th Street

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted May 14, 2014 at 1:00 AM
Plans to divert traffic in a Vernon neighbourhood are getting a rough ride even before they go to the public. Council members questioned a proposal Monday that would see through traffic and left-hand turns limited at key intersections on 25th Street, from Pleasant Valley Road to 46th Avenue. “I’m getting calls and a lot of concerns,” said Coun. Brian Quiring. “There are a lot of people who feel this is the wrong thing. It’s a good north/south connector so I’m not sure why we’re doing this.” The plan will be the focus of a public consultation session today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Alliance Church’s Arbour room. Among the components of the proposal are a centre median at the intersection of 32nd Avenue and 25th Street, two intersections at 25th Street and 39th Avenue and a centre median at 43rd Avenue and 25th Street. Amanda Watson, a municipal transportation technician, says the plan was developed because residents on 25th Street are upset about speed and the volume of vehicles trying to avoid 27th Street. “It’s classified as a local road and the requests have been to remove the through traffic,” she said. “Residents have requested we return it to a local road.” However, Coun. Juliette Cunningham isn’t sure about the staff explanation. “We have numerous roads that could be challenged the same way (considered local) so where do we go?” she said. The proposal previously went before council, but Cunningham thought it just included sidewalks and slowing vehicles down and not preventing through traffic on 25th Street. “I didn’t realize we were looking at this,” she said. If the changes occur, Watson believes 25th Street will be desirable walking and cycling route for Harwood and Beairsto elementary students. Sixty-six per cent of the residents within the specific area must approve of the removal of the through and left-turn movements at the three intersections.

25th Street Proposed Neighbourhood Traffic Management Meeting Wednesday, May 14, 2014 from 6pm to 8 pm at the Arbour Room of the Alliance Church located at 2601 – 43rd Avenue

25th Street Proposed Neighbourhood Traffic Management

The 2008 Transportation Plan identified 25th Street as a future bike route with sidewalks to be installed on the west side (see attached plan) from Pleasant Valley Road to 46th Avenue. Concerns have been raised that vehicles are using 25th Street to avoid using 27th Street. 27th Street is a Major Arterial road designed for its main purpose of moving traffic across the City Centre. 25th Street is a Local road and its main purpose is to provide access to the residential properties on that street.

The request has been made to have 25th Street returned back to its intended residential nature. Similar requests have also been received from parents and students of Harwood and Ecole Beairsto Elementary Schools during their School Travel Plans (2009-2012), which identified 25th Street as a desirable walking and cycling route to school. During the public consultations for the Healthy Communities Workshops, the Pedestrian and Bike Master Plan and the East Hill Neighbourhood Plan, parents, residents and students also identified 25th Street as an opportunity to connect to other pedestrian and cycle routes.
Proposed changes to 25th Street have been designed to meet these requests while achieving the best balance between cost and results. By preventing the "through movements" at key intersections, this "through traffic" will be redirected to 27th Street. It should be noted that to prevent the "through movements" along 25th Street, the medians / islands will also prevent left turns into / out of 25th Street at three intersections listed below. Please click here to view the draft design.
Proposed - one centre median in 32nd Avenue at its intersection with 25th Street
Proposed - two islands in 25th Street at its intersection with 39th Avenue
Proposed - one centre median in 43rdAvenue at its intersection with 25th Street

In 25th Street, apart from making sure that parking doesn’t take place too close to intersections, crosswalks or driveways, parking will not be changed. To provide the room for the centre median in 43rd Avenue, parking would be removed as shown on the attached plan. For pedestrians, sidewalks are proposed to be built on the west side of 25th Street from Pleasant Valley Road to 46th Avenue with marked crosswalks at intersections. However, due to the large cost involved, this will be installed in sections over a number of years subject to budget approval. With the “through traffic” removed, 25th Street will be an attractive cycle route. Cyclists will be able to use 25th Street without the need for painted bike lanes and will be able to travel straight through all intersections, yielding as required.

The RCMP, Fire Service and Ambulance services have already been consulted and raised no objections to these proposals. Before proceeding further, we would like to consider your views and determine the level of residents support for moving this proposal forward this year. Details and a larger design plan will be presented on Wednesday, May 14, 2014 from 6pm to 8 pm at the Arbour Room of the Alliance Church located at 2601 – 43rd Avenue with representatives from Interior Health and Community Policing. Please use the 27th Street entrance to enter the Arbour Room. Parking is accessed from 27th Street or 43rd Avenue. We encourage you to attend this public consultation

Please note that as the proposed 25th Street Neighbourhood Traffic Management could possibly add one to two minutes to residents’ own trips made in a car, it is required that the majority of the residents support this proposal for it to proceed. In line with the City’s Neighbourhood Traffic Management Policy, 66% of the residents within the area shown on the attached plan must state their positive support for the removal of the through and left turn movements at the three intersections described.
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Don Quixote Note:

This is a TR-7 TDM Dcc Project.  As you can see what was to proceeed in 2013 (Carried over to 2014) was the public consultation  of the Cycling Corridor and first stage.  (Cost $100,000).  Total project $945,051  ($444,174  DCC's)

P463-464 

 http://www.vernon.ca/services/finance/documents/Adopted_2013-2017_Financial_Plan%20.pdf

P.438 indicates $47,000 to come from DCC's against the first $100,000 in this first stage.

Employment Opportunity City of Vernon

http://www.vernon.ca/images/uploads/hr/Grant_Worker_-_Bike_to_Work_Asst_Coordinator_-_p.pdf

Bixi goes bust: Future of Vancouver bike share program uncertain

CTV British Columbia Published Monday, January 20, 2014 2:54PM

The Quebec-based company tasked with providing bikes for Vancouver’s new bike share program has filed for bankruptcy protection. Bixi faces $47-million in debt over its public bike system in Montreal and the city refuses to lend it any more money to keep its wheels spinning. Montreal propped up the bike rental company with $37-million in loans just two years ago.Bixi also owes millions to the city of Toronto. The bankruptcy news throws the city of Vancouver’s bike share program into uncertainty. Vancouver’s bike program was initially supposed to launch early this year but was delayed over Bixi’s financial issues. Late last year, Non-Partisan Association councillors said Bixi’s economic troubles were a sign Vancouver should put the brakes on the program temporarily. But Councillor Heather Deal said Vancouver -- unlike other cities -- wouldn’t take on a contract with loan guarantees, so it would be protected. Vancouver’s bike share program was due to have 250 bikes equipped with GPS and 25 stations. It would eventually see a total of 1,500 bikes at 150 stations, which would be located every two to three blocks and feature helmet dispensers for safe riding. Memberships would cost $95 per year, $20 per month or $5 per day, and the city would receive 50 per cent of the profits. Bixi started in Montreal five years ago but quickly expanded to the U.S. and Australia. The company has apparently been looking to sell off those operations to raise capital, but has been unsuccessful in finding a buyer. With 14 operations in different municipalities, critics say Bixi has spread itself too thin, and doesn’t have a viable business plan to sustain the operation. New York and Chicago are withholding payments totalling $5.6-million because of delays and glitches with Bixi software that's affecting their bike-sharing programs.

Authorities keeping pace with speeders

By Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star Published: October 23, 2013 1:00 AM

http://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/Pace_Car_Info_Sheet.pdf

Vernon will set the pace with a new safety intiative. The city is the first B.C. community and one of 10 designated communities awarded a $1,500 grant to launch a Pace Car program aimed at reducing vehicle speed to prevent crashes and reduce the severity of injuries.“The Pace Car program is a locally delivered, nationwide program that focuses on raising awareness around speed reduction in the community, especially in school zones and pedestrian-dense areas,” said Wendy Majewski, transportation demand management co-ordinator for the City of Vernon. The program launches Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at Okanagan Landing Elementary School. Vernon Mayor Rob Sawatzky and Coun. Juliette Cunningham will be on hand Thursday to help launch the Pace Car program at Okanagan Landing Elementary. A second Vernon launch is slated for Nov. 5 at Silver Star Elementary School. The grant comes from Parachute, a national injury-prevention charity.(more)

Ellis St. residents oppose bike lanes

THURSDAY, 17 OCTOBER 2013 02:00 JOHN MOORHOUSE Penticton Herald

The Ellis Street corridor gained the lion's share of attention at an open house into a proposed expansion of Penticton's bike network. Dozens of people turned out to City Hall on Tuesday evening to view bike network maps and diagrams, while talking to city officials about the plans. Most were upset over a proposal calling for designated bike lanes along Ellis from Wade Avenue north to Vancouver Avenue. Plans call for parking to be eliminated along the west side of the street. Similar lanes would be created up the Vancouver Avenue hill to the KVR walkway at Vancouver Place. Ellis Street property owner Rick Valenti urged the city to look for alternate solutions. Valenti wondered why the city would want to remove 68 parking stalls along a street which is home to several businesses. The city also has future plans to create a cultural corridor along Ellis, he added. Valenti said he canvassed several business and home owners along Ellis who were unaware of the bike lane proposals. "We're hoping they'll re-examine it, because there's going to be anarchy on this street. Where do we park?" he said. He also pointed to the limited season for cyclists. "Come November until March, who's biking? There's a big climate change here (during winter)," he stated. Jennifer Dery, who has lived in the neighbourhood for 10 years, noted there is no back alley for homes along Ellis. "We won't be able to park in front of our own house," she said. "Where are we going to park Ð on our roof? It's just stupid." "We've got enough bike lanes around that they can use," she added. "Use those. Don't take away the only parking that we really have in that area." Dery said Ellis is also a prime parking area on Saturdays for people attending the farmers and community markets on Main Street. Van Horne Street resident Al Gartrell wonders why cyclists can't be directed onto the existing Penticton Creek pathway instead. "There's no reason why they can't put it along the bicycle path that's already there and run it down to where it comes out on Front Street," Gartrell said. Mitch Moroziuk, the city's director of operations, explained that the Penticton Creek pathway is already a designated multi-use route. The bike network is designed to provide a more direct route on the street for cyclists to use. However, Moroziuk emphasized that nothing is a done deal just yet. Comments from those attending Tuesday's session will be incorporated into a report to be presented to city council in early November. He said a second public forum was held after only a handful of people showed up at a previous meeting in September. "I don't think you'll see anything on Ellis Street this year because by the time we finish that process, it will be too late to paint and stuff like that," he said. Although no cycling traffic count figures are available, Moroziuk said the bike network is designed to increase safety and encourage a greater use of bicycles throughout the city. "Really, it's aimed at what the future will be, not what's there today," he said.

City thinking inside box for cyclists at intersection

FRIDAY, 11 OCTOBER 2013 02:00 RON SEYMOUR Kelowna Daily Courier

Cyclists now have a preferred position from which to navigate through one Kelowna intersection. A bright green "bike box" has been painted on the road at the corner of Richter Street and Sutherland Avenue. Cyclists pull in front of cars to go into the box, moving ahead of all motorized traffic when the light turns green. To further enhance safety for bicyclists, right-hand turns on red lights are no longer permitted for drivers at the intersection. "I think it's a great idea, definitely a step in the right direction," said Skye Chataway, treasurer of the Kelowna and Area Cycling Coalition. "It'll help bring more driver awareness to cyclists being on the road," Chataway said. City crews painted the bike box on the southbound lane of Richter earlier this week. Officials say bike boxes used in other cities increase the visibility of cyclists at intersections, helping to avoid collisions and improving road safety. "If everyone is predictable and abides by traffic rules, it significantly reduces the risk of an accident," said Mahesh Tripathi, a city traffic engineering technician. Opinions from passing pedestrians varied on the merits of the bike box. Anna Stirling, 72, wasn't sure what to make of the green markings. After being informed of their purpose, she sighed and said, "Good heavens, what a silly idea." However, David Taylor, 37, said: "Sounds like a good plan to me. It can be pretty dangerous riding a bike. Hopefully, this will make things safer." Along with the bike box, the city is testing new traffic signal software that will detect when cyclists are waiting to proceed through an intersection. "This technology, paired with the green bike boxes, will make it a lot more convenient, faster and safer for cyclists to travel," said Atif Khan, the city's traffic signals supervisor. The intersection at Bernard and Richter will also get a green bike box this fall.

Mayors pedal Bke to Work Week

 Vernon Morning Star Published: May 26, 2013 1:00 AM

Coldstream Contender

Vernon Victor ?

Vernon’s mayor thinks riding three wheels is a great way to kick off Bike to Work Week. “The new Tricycle Challenge with Mayor (Jim) Garlick, the media and fellow councillors from Vernon and Coldstream will be a fun way to create some interest in our fourth annual provincial Bike to Work Campaign,” said Rob Sawatzky. “I am excited to see what the Global Education class from Fulton Secondary School and the Greater Vernon Cycling Advisory Committee have arranged for us.“If I can’t beat Mayor Garlick with the fastest time, I can surely win by being the best dressed. We are also very grateful that Cycle-Cycle is supplying the tricycles.” Bike to Work Week kicks off Monday with a pancake breakfast at Cenotaph Park and the Downtown Transit Exchange from 6:45 to 9:30 a.m. The Tricycle Challenge starts at 8 a.m.

Go for green cycling

by Deborah Pfeiffer - Castanet May 18, 2013 / 5:00 am
Penticton's public works department has been hard at work this week, installing green bike lanes at six intersections in the city. The lanes are one of the strategies identified in the cycling network plan focused on making the community more cycling friendly. They were approved in the budget for 2013, and once council approved the plan implementation, smaller projects like the lanes were carried out, according to Simone Blais, the city's communications officer. The lanes are like a decal that is applied via heating of the asphalt and green applique. The product has a grit built in, which provides traction for bicycles, helping them stop and start at intersections and making it easier to navigate a bike. The lanes are also a visual indicator to motorists to look for cyclists, particularly at intersections. Earlier in the week, residents and cyclists were asked to be aware of the work going on at the intersections; the work is now complete and cyclists have a green light to enjoy ricing the green.

Employment Opportunity - City Of Vernon - Deadline Today.

Grant Worker - Bike-to-Work Week Assistant Coordinator

Closing Date:  April 23, 2013 Job Posting - PDF 

Contentious development wins approval

by Melissa Ligertwood - Cstanet Apr 23, 2013 / 5:00 am
Vernon City Council voted 5-2 in favour of a rezoning request on the 4600 block of 20 Street, following a second public hearing on the matter Monday evening. Monday's decision means that the property in question will be rezoned from R5 to RH1, allowing for a 24-unit development on a 0.63 acre site.  With 20 Street being a busy thoroughfare and home to the BMX event park as well as an elementary school, parking and traffic have become huge concerns for residents. Back in 2010, the City built much needed pedestrian infrastructure, narrowed the road and eliminated on-street parking. While the upgrades have improved safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists, residents are facing significant challenges with parking and safe driveway access from 20^th Street. Many in the neighbourhood feel that the addition of 24 units on the street will make matters worse. The developers, Stefan and Pearl Marten, say that they understand the concerns of the neighbourhood and made a conscious effort to be reasonable. Their development, if approved, would stand around nine metres high with a setback of three metres, keeping the structure within the current R5 zoning requirements. The rezoning to RH1 simply allows them to incorporate more units. In his presentation to council, Stefan Marten said, “If people have insufficient parking today, they will have insufficient parking whether our development goes ahead or not.” Seven large townhomes, which is what the current R5 zoning would allow, the Martens feel would not alleviate residents’ concerns. The goal of the 24-unit complex is to provide a more efficient use of the space. That means smaller more affordable units intended for one to three occupants, fewer vehicles, and housing for individuals with limited mobility, seniors, and starter families. Long time resident, Pat Seymour, owns the property directly adjacent to the proposed development. “There’s no doubt it’s going to have an effect on me, my property values, and my ability to sell my property in the future,” said Seymour. “It’s been a lot of stress on my family not knowing what’s going to happen.” Seymour and his wife Tracey believe they stand to lose up to 30% of the value of their property. Their home has many south facing windows, which would be blocked by the development, and with the three metre side yard setback, the Seymours feel they will be losing privacy and enjoyment of their family home. The planned development is eight buildings, with four on the north side of the property adjacent to the Seymours’ house. At eight windows per building visible above the required 5 ft. privacy fence, the Seymours aren’t happy about 32 windows overlooking their backyard. Councillor Catherine Lord felt that residents’ concerns were mostly because of the parking situation. “I don’t believe, personally, that this development is going to hinder or fix [parking],” said Lord. “Even if there was no rezoning, you could end up with a development much worse than this one.” Councillor Brian Quiring echoed Lord’s sentiments, adding that he felt the developers’ hearts are in the right place. “They have the best intentions in mind for the neighbourhood. I believe in them,” said Quiring. Before council finally voted to approve the rezoning application, Councillor Juliette Cunningham put it perhaps most eloquently. “Change isn’t easy. It can be upsetting at first. We’re trying to attract young families to this community. I do think there are serious concerns about 20 Street parking, and I can only imagine what it’s like living there. But sometimes we have to make difficult decisions. Sometime there are winners and losers.”

Councillor blasts policy

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: February 15, 2013 1:00 AM
Attempts to slow traffic down have received a rough ride from one Vernon politician. Coun. Catherine Lord opposed the city rescinding its current traffic calming policy and replacing it with a new neighbourhood traffic management policy. “We are replacing a six-page policy with a 31-page policy. I’d like to keep things simple,” said Lord. “If I was a resident and I had problems on my street, I’d be insulted to read a 31-page policy. I’d like to see it rewritten and reduced in scope.” City staff indicated that while the previous policy was six pages long, there were two lengthy support documents (339 pages), and they have all been condensed into the new policy to provide details on when traffic calming may be considered in a neighbourhood. Most of Lord’s colleagues came to the defence of staff. “For the neighbourhoods, it’s good to have it written as clear as it is,” said Coun. Patrick Nicol. “People don’t understand the policies and it doesn’t hurt to reiterate them,” added Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe. Lord got support from Coun. Bob Spiers. “It’s a long report that could have been condensed more,” he said.
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Don Quixote Note: Agenda Package  TRAFFIC CALMING POLICY REVISION (P. 153-194)

 

Would You LIke To Try Carpooling?

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Monday, 15 October 2012 02:13
Okanagan commuters are asked to share a ride as part of the 6th annual Regional Carpool Week. Wendy Majewski, transportation demand management coordinator from the city of Vernon says it runs from October 22nd to the 26th.  "This is an Okanagan regional carpool week, so we are trying to encourage commuters to take part. Carpooling helps to decrease the amount of traffic." Majewski says it can also decrease car costs and help the environment. Statistics Canada says the average Canadian household spends $12,000 a year on transportation, second only to shelter. "You may not be able to car pool every day of the week but at least try it once or twice a week. That lowers the number of vehicles on the roads," says Majewski, who carpools from her home in Kelowna to Vernon. You can register for the program-- and be eligible to win prizes-- by going to www.carpool.ca. Kelowna, Penticton, Oliver, Summerland and Peachland are also taking part, and helping to fund the program.

West Kelowna shows frustration toward regional projects funded through gas tax

By Wade Paterson - Kelowna Capital News Published: August 30, 2012 4:00 PM
The way the Regional District plans to spend $506,000 of its share of gas tax funding has several members of West Kelowna council upset.  During the Regional Board's Aug. 20 meeting, members approved submitting three projects to the Union of B.C. Municipalities for consideration and approval through Central Okanagan's share of Regionally Significant Project gas tax funding. The projects include spending $317,969 to upgrade and provide a backup centrifuge at a regional facility that treats septic waste; $150,000 for a regional household travel survey and analysis; $38,000 to review and update the Regional Air Quality Management Plan.  "We continue to be amazed at the different ways the Regional District can find to spend money," said Mayor Doug Findlater. The biggest problem, according to Findlater, is that the Central Okanagan is in tier two of the Gas Tax Agreement tier structure. If the Regional District was in tier one, the money currently allocated for Regionally Significant Project funding would transfer to the Community Works Fund.  That would mean more money for West Kelowna to utilize locally. "We're in tier two (so) the $8.7 million is basically under control of the Regional District rather than being allocated per capita," said West Kelowna Coun. Duane Ophus. "We're fighting that…and the Regional Board supports us on that." Ophus admitted a portion of the money spent from the $8.7 million Regionally Significant Project pool has benefited West Kelowna; however, he is not happy about how the remaining $506,000 is being spent. "Some of these projects, in (my) mind, are not anywhere near the top of the list for the way we should be spending this money. "The one I had the biggest problem with was the $317,000 (centrifuge upgrade); coming to us in this fashion was really not acceptable. It was in the regional five-year plan for 2014 for $150,000. The first we heard $150,000 wasn't going to be enough was when this report for double came to the Regional Board, with no explanation why. "Spending money this way is not in the best interests of the taxpayers of the Regional District because it's not planned properly and not prioritized properly." Westside Coun. Rick de Jong said he is especially upset with the money being spent on a regional household travel survey and analysis. "When I see $150,000 for a research project for household travel…I'm dismayed and disappointed," said de Jong. Findlater agreed. "My gut reaction is that you can probably do a survey like that for about $30,000 and still get useful information, rather than $150,000." Findlater and Ophus sit on the Regional Board. Both voted against funding the proposed projects. According to the West Kelowna mayor, the Regional Board has requested to move into tier one; however, the UBCM has not yet granted the transfer.