Highlights of June 9 Council meeting
Community Safety Plan progress report
Council heard an update on the Community Safety Plan (CSP). Through strong inter-agency collaboration from more than 55 partner organizations, six action items are concluded, and several others are advancing through planning and execution stages. Notable progress includes expanding the Block Connector Program to strengthen neighbourhood ties, launching anti-racism initiatives, and combining efforts to address intimate partner violence. A new public dashboard provides up to date progress information.Read Report to Council
Orchard Park apartment housing
Council supported a rezoning for a portion of 2271 Harvey Avenue, the property previously used for the Kelowna Farmers and Crafters Market. The proposal is for 294 rental and market units plus commercial space, spread across two six-storey buildings. Read Report to Council
Bernard Avenue rental apartment
Council authorized the issuance of a development permit for a six-storey rental apartment at 1531 Bernard Ave. The building will feature 51 units, including a mix of studios, 1-bedroom, 2- bedroom and 3-bedroom apartments. Read Report to Council
OCP and TMP progress report
Council received a progress report on the 2040 Official Community Plan (OCP) and 2040 Transportation Master Plan (TMP). Key themes include strong urban development in the Core Area and Urban Centres, with a notable rise in apartment occupancies and rental housing. Transit ridership hit a record 6.4 million boardings, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, while bike trips surged 42% since 2018, supporting the City’s active transportation goals. Vehicle travel times increased modestly in 2024, particularly during the afternoon peak, but remained relatively stable overall given Kelowna’s rapid population growth. Implementation of key infrastructure projects advanced through the Transportation Accelerator Program, and new planning initiatives like the North End Plan and Heritage Conservation Guidelines were completed. Overall, nearly three-quarters of the 198 combined OCP and TMP actions are now complete, in progress, or ongoing, demonstrating meaningful progress toward Kelowna’s 2040 vision. Read Report to Council
Food waste diversion Council decided not to support Kelowna’s participation in a food waste curbside organics collection program proposed by the Central Okanagan Regional District. City staff studied the initiative and had concerns around uncertain costs, infrastructure needs and garbage collection frequency. Staff recommended incorporating food waste diversion into the 2030 Regional Solid Waste Management Plan update. Read Report to Council
To watch a playback of the Council meeting and view all presentations, visit “Past Meetings” at kelowna.ca/council .
