A meeting with Councillor Jayson Zilkie took place on November 20, 2020 with the newly formed Gellatly Bay Goats Peak Community Association (GBGPCA). GBGPCA members present included Kathy Pasmore, David Patterson, Jo-Ann Patterson, Nicole Waidman, and Terri Schredl.
Highlights from the meeting include:
- There are currently no active development applications for the location of concern (across from Willow Beach)
- Everyone agreed that development is welcome, however, this should be community-minded and a win-win for the local neighbourhood, all West Kelowna residents and tourists alike.
- The representatives from the GBGPCA highlighted various concerns and considerations for this area in terms of development:
- Scale and stature. We went to this location together in an effort to help visualize what 11-stories would truly look like in contrast to the image/scale presented to city council in Nov. 2019 by the potential developer.
Councillor Zilkie noted any development applications will need to provide site surveys and true elevations. - Parking. All parties agreed no variances should be granted to the developer for parking. If anything, additional parking on the development frontage for the public should be explored.
GBGPCA shared an experience raised to them by another member regarding development on Majoras in which visitor parking stalls were included initially with the development but have since been now sold with units to building residents. This has resulted in visitor parking in the neighbourhood streets. Conc. Zilkie urged us to bring this forward to council as feedback when/if a development application is received. - Wildlife. The GBGPCA highlighted the scope of wildlife in this area which includes beavers, salmon, bald eagles, turkey vultures, a wolf and more.
- Current OCP for Gellatly Village which after significant public consultation was an amendment to the City of West Kelowna’s Official Community Plan in 2017 and includes extensive language regarding this area. Councillor Zilkie noted the full OCP is being reviewed and revised. He was not aware of the Gellatly Village Amendment from 2017.
- Emergency Evacuation. The Pointe includes 115 homes and when an emergency evacuation was required previously it resulted in heavy congestion.
- Scale and stature. We went to this location together in an effort to help visualize what 11-stories would truly look like in contrast to the image/scale presented to city council in Nov. 2019 by the potential developer.
- Once a development application is received there will be time granted to the community for feedback. Councillor Zilkie confirmed the process will also include a traffic study.
- Councillor Zilkie shared several other ideas with GBGPCA that he had for the area:
- A dock/floating walkway that stretches from Willow Beach through to WFN land. This received positive feedback and could also serve as a block for boat traffic into the bay.
- A weekly farmer’s market on Gellatly which would require a temporary road closure to facilitate. This was received with positive feedback but would require further investigation on a suitable location so that in/out access for local residents is not blocked.
Overall the meeting was positive and Councillor Zilkie has encouraged GBGPCA to continue to work with our members so that a single, unified voice (with numbers behind us) can be projected to council when/as needed.
Gellatly Bay Goats Peak Community Association 