2040 Official Community Plan

Making the Plan Work

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Last Updated: 
January 10, 2022
2040 OCP - Chapter 16 - Making the Plan Work chapter header, image of Kelowna downtown from Knox Mountain

The Official Community Plan is a living document that provides direction on how Kelowna will evolve to 2040. While policies and decisions should be consistent with the Pillars, Growth Strategy, objectives and the policies of the Plan, the Official Community Plan should be recognized as a flexible and adaptable document. Amendments to the plan from time to time are expected during its 20 year life to ensure that it adapts to a changing context. 

Objective 16.1. Ensure that land use decisions are consistent with the direction of the Official Community Plan.

Policy 16.1.1. OCP Consistency.
Ensure future City plans, policies and bylaws prepared following adoption of the 2040 Official Community Plan take direction from and are consistent with the Plan. In addition, plans, policies and bylaws adopted prior to the Official Community Plan should be updated and amended to be consistent with it over time.

Policy 16.1.2. Official Community Plan Amendment Evaluation.
Evaluate applications for amendments to the Official Community Plan based on how they are consistent with the OCP Pillars and the Growth Strategy, as outlined in Chapter 1: The Big Picture to determine how the proposed amendment meets the Plan’s vision and relationship to Imagine Kelowna.

Policy 16.1.3. Official Community Plan Amendment Process.
Consider the scale of the impact of a proposed OCP Amendment when determining application processes and opportunities for consultation as outlined in Section 475 of the Local Government Act. Examples of differing scales may include (from smallest anticipated impact to greatest anticipated impact):

  • Minor amendments to improve clarity and understanding of the Official Community Plan;
  • Text amendments that do not include amendments to the Future Land Use Map (Map 3.1);
  • Amendments to the Future Land Use Map (Map 3.1);
  • Amendments to the Growth Strategy Districts; and
  • Comprehensive plan updates.

Policy 16.1.4. Development Approval Information.
Pursuant to Section 485.1 of the Local Government Act, the entire City of Kelowna is designated as a Development Approval Information Area in order to guide and support new development that contributes to the goals and objectives of the Official Community Plan. The Divisional Director of Planning and Development Services, or designate, may require development approval information pursuant to that Section. The conditions that justify this designation are as follows:

  • Kelowna is a rapidly growing community and this growth will impact neighbourhoods, businesses, service provision and infrastructure. Information may be required to assess impacts on nearby and adjacent development, including shadowing, noise, visual impacts and scale, impacts on community services, such as parks, schools and protective services, socio-economic impacts, and impacts on the transportation and utility network and infrastructure.
  • Kelowna’s landscape includes hillsides, floodplains, wildfire interface areas and other unique landscapes. Information may be required to assess impacts on these landscapes and to protect people, property and infrastructure.
  • Kelowna is home to many sensitive terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, a valley-wide airshed, agricultural lands and water bodies, including Okanagan Lake. Information may be required to guide and inform protection of this land, water and air.
  • Kelowna is located in the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the syilx/Okanagan people, who have lived here since time immemorial. As such, the area is home to many important heritage assets. Settlement of the area by non-indigenous residents has also provided the city with many heritage assets. Information may be required to identify heritage value of these assets, including but not limited to landscapes, archaeological sites, buildings and properties, and to guide their protection and conservation.

Policy 16.1.5. Requirement to Obtain a Development Permit.
Within a development permit area, a development permit must be obtained before undertaking certain activities, such as subdividing land or constructing, adding to, or altering a building or specifications, unless specifically exempted. The triggers for the development permit requirement vary slightly by development permit area. Chapters 18 through 22 specify the triggers and available exemptions.

Policy 16.1.6. Multiple Development Permits.
Where land is subject to more than one Development Permit designation, development will be subject to the requirements of all applicable development permit guidelines. 

Policy 16.1.7. Density Bonusing.
Consider the use of density bonusing provisions as outlined in the Local Government Act in exchange for the provision or conservation of an amenity and for the provision of affordable or special needs housing.

Objective 16.2. Coordinate Growth Strategy implementation with supplementary plans.

The Official Community Plan provides a high level Growth Strategy as well as a series of objectives and policies to guide the City’s development. However, supplementary plans that address specific topics or areas are required to provide more detailed policy or regulatory guidance.

The Official Community Plan was developed in conjunction with the Transportation Master Plan and the 2040 Infrastructure Plan to ensure that the OCP’s vision is able to become a reality. Together all three of these plans provide direction on how Kelowna will grow through to 2040, ultimately meeting Imagine Kelowna. As such, detailed direction for transportation network implementation should be guided by the Transportation Master Plan. The 2040 Infrastructure Plan should provide guidance for the delivery of utility infrastructure during the life of the plan.

The Official Community Plan is also guided by supplementary plans, such as the Civic Precinct Plan and the Capri-Landmark Urban Centre Plan, for example. These supplementary plans provide more detailed policy guidance for specific neighbourhoods and can include, but are not limited to, Urban Centre Plans, Area Redevelopment Plans and Area Structure Plans. New supplementary plans are expected during the life of the Official Community Plan, as outlined in Figure 16.1, and upon their endorsement from Council, the Official Community Plan will be amended to reflect the endorsed supplementary plan.

Policy 16.2.1. Supplementary Plans.
Supplement the directions provided in the Official Community Plan with those provided in the Transportation Master Plan, the 2040 Infrastructure Plan and other supplementary plans.

Policy 16.2.2. Review of Supplementary Plans. 
Undertake regular reviews of supplementary plans to ensure compliance with relevant policies and regulations.

Objective 16.3. Strategically deliver on implementation actions.

The Official Community Plan sets the direction for how Kelowna will grow and evolve to 2040. However, putting the plan into action will require significant efforts beyond its adoption by Council. Other City plans, bylaws, policies and programs will need to be updated to reflect the direction of the 2040 OCP. At the same time, more detailed supplementary plans and studies will need to be undertaken to provide detailed policy direction in certain areas.

This section outlines the key implementation actions that are required during the life of the plan ensure that it meets the vision outlined in the Growth Strategy, the Pillars and ultimately, Imagine Kelowna.

Many of these implementation actions reflect Kelowna’s shift towards a more urban future, one that is inherently more complex and interconnected. For instance, urban development and redevelopment – a central focus of this OCP – occurs in the context of existing neighbourhoods, emphasizing the need to balance the interests of existing residents with the broader need to accommodate sustainable growth. The City will need to adapt to managing growth in these contexts by developing new approaches, standards and systems, and by dedicating resources, both existing and new, to where they are most impactful.

Policy 16.3.1. OCP Implementation Actions.
Use Figure 16.1: Implementation Actions and Map 16.1 to guide the timing and resourcing of OCP implementation actions, with due recognition of available budget and other work planning considerations.

Policy 16.3.2. Neighbourhood Planning Prioritization.
Consider prioritization of neighbourhood planning actions based on the following:

  • Expected level of development activity, including large scale projects that necessitate City direction on infrastructure and growth strategy alignment;
  • Need for community amenities;
  • Need to define civic investment priorities; and
  • Age of existing neighbourhood plan (if any).

Policy 16.3.3. Regional, Indigenous and Community Partners.
Continue to foster relationships and partner with the Regional District of Central Okanagan, Westbank First Nation, Okanagan Indian Band, neighbouring municipalities, post-secondary institutions and other key community partners to effectively deliver on implementation actions.

Objective 16.4. Ensure the Official Community Plan responds to emerging trends, opportunities, and risks.

Communities must be resilient and adaptive in the in the face of a changing world, and the documents that guide their growth must be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure that they are responding to emerging trends, risks and opportunities. This makes a robust monitoring and evaluation program critical to the successful implementation of the 2040 OCP. Monitoring provides Staff and Council with the information needed to respond to the evolving context of the community and to determine whether the community is taking steps forward to realize the 2040 OCP Pillars. The Pillars offer insight as to how both internal processes at City Hall as well as broader community efforts are aligning with the key directions of the 2040 OCP. The process of implementing the Official Community Plan requires on-going commitment, action and course corrections to operationalize the Plan in the community and within the City’s corporate processes.

The indicators for monitoring of the 2040 OCP should consider the following criteria:

  • Meaningful: Does the indicator align well with the 2040 OCP Pillars and key objectives?
  • Outcome-oriented: Does the indicator provide an understanding of results and offer insight as to what is happening on the ground in the community and within the City?
  • Available: Does the City have access to the data sources on an annual basis, or in some cases is the data available through the Census?

The monitoring of the 2040 OCP is an important activity that will require 0n-going commitment with two different types of reports: annual reporting and more comprehensive five-year reports. The annual reporting will rely on data sources that are available annually such as development patterns, activity and City investment to provide a general understanding of performance on key indicators. The annual report will also include a short narrative around performance of the indicators.

The five-year report will be the more comprehensive monitoring report, relying on a mix of both annual data sources and census data. This report will provide a greater level of analysis and tell a larger story around the performance of the indicators and the degree to which the City is advancing the OCP Pillars. The five-year reports will provide more substantive analysis of trends that may be impacting the indicator and provide recommendations for how policy and regulations could be adapted to influence the performance of key indicators moving forward. 

Policy 16.4.1. OCP Indicators Report.
Develop a process to monitor the outcomes of the OCP, including the delivery of both an annual and a five-year report to Council.

Policy 16.4.2. Plan Review and Refinement.
Following regular reviews of the OCP indicators, explore actions that inform refinements to the Official Community Plan and/or inform future plan updates, such as Housing Needs Assessments and additional area planning initiatives, for example.

Policy 16.4.3. Housing Needs Assessments.
To ensure that the Growth Strategy continues to support onboarding of a diverse housing supply, undertake housing needs assessments to inform scheduled Official Community Plan updates. Work with the Regional District of Central Okanagan, other municipalities and First Nations to address shared housing objectives.

Table 16.1: Implementation Actions

ST = Short Term (0-4 years following OCP adoption)
LT = Long Term (5 – 10 years following OCP adoption)
O = Ongoing actions throughout OCP lifespan

#ActionAssociated Objective or PolicyAction TypeTiming
Environment, Energy and Climate
1Develop an anti-idling bylaw14.1.1. Motor vehicle use and air quality Bylaw updateST
2Implement and update the Air Quality Strategy14.1.1. Motor vehicle use and air qualityStrategy / ProgramLT
3Implement the Community Climate Action Plan12.1  Design the community to be more resilient to a changing climateImplement existing plansO
4Develop a Climate Action and Resiliency Strategy12.1  Design the community to be more resilient to a changing climateStrategy / ProgramST
5Partner with stakeholders to develop an Okanagan Lake Management Plan14.3.1  Okanagan Lake’s ecosystem healthPlan developmentST
6Develop and implement strategies to  monitor changes in tree canopy coverage and  to sensitive ecosystems16.4 Ensure the Official Community Plan responds to emerging trends, opportunities and risks.Strategy / ProgramST
7Identify and implement tools to protect ecosystem connectivity corridors.14.4.2. Ecosystem connectivity corridors.  Strategy / ProgramST
8Update and implement the Urban Forestry Strategy14.2 Protect and expand a healthy and viable urban forestStrategy / ProgramST
9Implement and update the Energy Step Code Strategy for new construction

12.4.1. Energy Step Code
12.4.2. Energy efficient design

Strategy / Program

ST
10Develop a Landscape Standards and Maintenance Bylaw4.3, 5.5. Protect and increase greeneryBylaw UpdateST
11Develop a Private Tree Protection Bylaw14.2. Protect and expand a healthy urban forest.Bylaw Update

ST

12Update the Heritage and Significant Tree Inventory

14.2. Protect and expand a healthy urban forest.

InventoryLT
13Develop a Community Energy Retrofit Strategy12.4.2. Energy efficient designStrategy / Program

ST

14Implement the Corporate Energy and GHG Emissions Plan12.5. Improve energy efficiency and reduce operational greenhouse gas emissionsImplement existing plansO
15Implement the Community Low Carbon Mobility Strategy: Electric Vehicles and E-Bikes12.7.2. Electric mobilityImplement existing plansO
16Explore options to encourage on-site green infrastructure in development12.8. Invest in ecosystem services and green infrastructure to mitigate and adapt to a changing climate.Strategy / ProgramLT
Urban Centre & Local Area Planning
17Develop a Rutland Urban Centre Plan4.7. Focus new development in Rutland strategically to create a new high-density hub to support improved services and amenitiesPlan developmentST
18Develop a Pandosy Urban Centre Plan4.6. Support infill and redevelopment to promote housing diversity and enhanced services and amenities in the Pandosy Urban CentrePlan developmentST
19Develop a Midtown Urban Centre Plan4.8. Support modest residential development to transition Midtown into a transit-supportive neighbourhoodPlan developmentLT
20Develop a North End Neighbourhood Plan

5.8.3. North End Industrial Lands

Plan developmentST
21Develop a Residential Infill Strategy5.3 Design residential infill to be sensitive to neighbourhood contextStrategy / ProgramST
22Implement the Capri Landmark Urban Centre Plan4.5.1. Capri Landmark Urban Centre PlanImplement existing plansO
23Develop an Okanagan Rail Trail Land Use Plan13.8 Protect and enhance the Okanagan Rail Trail as a vital transportation corridor linking communities in the Okanagan ValleyPlan developmentLT
24Complete the Pandosy/Richter Corridor Study5.2. Focus residential density along Transit Supportive CorridorsStrategy / ProgramST
25Develop a Terms of Reference to guide developer-initiated Area Redevelopment Plans

5.3.3. Strategic Density

Process ChangeLT
26Undertake a North Glenmore Sector Development Study to inform future OCP update processes.16.4.2. Plan Review and RefinementStrategy / ProgramLT
27Develop a Hall Road Neighbourhood Plan8.4.4. Consideration of Serviced Areas.Plan developmentLT
Parks & Placemaking
28Develop a Parks Master Plan10.3. Ensure parks reflect their unique natural and cultural contextPlan developmentST
29Develop a “Parks on Streets” Policy10.2.2. Parks on StreetsStrategy / Program ST
30Develop an Alternative Parks Policies Framework4.1.10., 5.4.4. Public Space for Future DevelopmentProcess ChangeST
31Investigate tools to create an Okanagan Lake Waterfront Park Habitat Balance Strategy10.4.8 Waterfront park developmentStrategy / ProgramST
Land Development & Management
32Update the Development Application Review Process16.1.1. OCP ConsistencyProcess ChangeO
33Update the Subdivision, Development and Servicing Bylaw16.1.1. OCP ConsistencyBylaw UpdateST
34Update the Zoning Bylaw16.1.1. OCP ConsistencyBylaw UpdateST
35Update the Revitalization Tax Exemption Bylaw4.4.7. Downtown Revitalization Tax Exemption
4.7.6. Rutland Revitalization Tax Exemption
Strategy / ProgramST
36Implement the Wildfire Protection Plan15.1. Reduce wildfire risk to health and safety of the public, property and infrastructureImplement existing plansO
37Update Council Policy No. 247 Hierarchy of Plans16.1.1. OCP ConsistencyProcess ChangeST
38Implement the Agriculture PlanObjective 6.7. and 8.1. Protect and preserve agricultural land and its capabilityImplement existing plansO
39Monitor and report on OCP outcomes16.4.1. OCP Indicators ReportStrategy / ProgramO
Housing and Community Well-being
40Develop an Equity Strategy9.1.2 Equity Analysis and StrategyStrategy / ProgramST
41Develop Housing Needs Assessments to inform future OCP updates16.4.3. Housing Needs AssessmentsStrategy / ProgramO
42Develop a Tenant Assistance Policy4.13.3, 5.12.3., 6.10.4. Tenant AssistanceStrategy / ProgramST
43Develop Rental Housing Retention or Replacement Regulations4.14.1, 5.13.1. Protection of Existing Rental StockStrategy / ProgramST
44Complete the Social Planning Framework9.1. Incorporate equity into planning decisions and resource allocation in our community

Strategy / Program

ST
45Complete and implement the Healthy City Strategy9.3. Develop diverse partnerships to advance complex social planning issues and increase community wellbeingStrategy / ProgramO
46Establish location criteria for shelters and safety net supports for people experiencing homelessness4.2.2, 5.4.2. Safety Net Supports and ServicesStrategy / ProgramST
47Update the Heritage Strategy11.1.2. Heritage StrategyStrategy / ProgramLT
48Update the Heritage Conservation Area Design Guidelines11.1.2 Heritage StrategyStrategy / ProgramLT
49Establish a Heritage Impact Assessment Terms of Reference11.2. Identify, conserve and protect historic placesProcess ChangeLT
50Expand the Heritage Register to include archaeological sites, landscapes, structure and cemeteries11.2.3. Kelowna Heritage Register expansionStrategy / ProgramLT
51Explore opportunities to encourage heritage building retrofits and energy efficiency upgrades11.2.7. Heritage retrofitsStrategy / ProgramST
52Implement the Cultural PlanVariousImplement existing plansO
53Implement the Cultural Facilities Master PlanVariousImplement existing plansO
Transportation
54Implement the Transportation Master Plan16.2.1. Supplementary plansImplement existing plansO
55Complete a Local / Neighbourhood Streets Pilot Program5.16. Create neighbourhood streets that are safe and comfortable for people to walk, bike and play onStrategy / ProgramST
56Develop a Transportation Safety Strategy4.17. Create urban streets that are attractive to live, work and shop on
5.16., 7.9. Create neighbourhood streets that are safe and comfortable for people to walk, bike and play on.
6.15. Maintain safe roads that support agricultural uses
Plan developmentST
57Update the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan16.2.1. Supplementary plansPlan developmentST
58Develop an Accessibility Transition Plan4.17. Create urban streets that are attractive to live, work and shop on
5.16, 6.15, 7.9., Create neighbourhood streets that are safe and comfortable for people to walk, bike and play on
Plan developmentST
59Develop a Curbside Management Plan4.18, 5.18. Manage curb space to reflect a range of community benefitPlan developmentST
60Undertake a Goods Movement Study6.11.7. Highway 97Plan developmentST
61Update the Cash In Lieu of Parking Bylaw4.19.3, 5.19.3. Leverage Cash-in-LieuStrategy / ProgramST
Infrastructure and Servicing
62Develop 2040 Infrastructure Plan16.2.1. Supplementary plansImplement existing plansO
63Develop a Water Conservation Plan13.4. Provide a secure supply of water
13.5. Protect the supply of high-quality drinking water
Plan developmentST
64Develop an Agricultural Water Demand Management Plan13.4.4. Water Availability for AgriculturePlan developmentLT
65Develop a Water Shortage Management Plan13.4. Provide a secure supply of water
13.5. Protect the supply of high-quality drinking water
Plan developmentST
66Establish an annual capital plan prioritization matrix to ensure capital investments align with OCP13.1.1. Infrastructure PrioritizationProcess ChangeST
67Identify floodplain areas and develop policies to minimize flood risk15.4. Reduce flood risk to health and safety, infrastructure, property and natural assetsPlan developmentST
68Identify new funding tools to support infrastructure and facilitate growth13.2.3. Infrastructure and facility funding toolsStrategy / ProgramLT