Dear Residents and Neighbours,

As many of you are aware, the Village of Kettle Valley has been seeking your input on the change in development type for a parcel of land located at Thalia Street and Quilchena Drive. Over the past several weeks we have fielded dozens of emails, phone calls, and meetings with concerned residents. The feedback that we have received from all who attended the open house and participated in the online survey has helped us immensely in determining our final development proposal and we want everyone to know that we have listened to your suggestions and will be unveiling our new concept plan soon.

Through these conversations, we now realize that there has been some misinformation and misunderstanding as to the nature of the development and our plans. We wish to clear up some of the misconceptions and fallacies that have been circulating in an online petition, and reaffirm our commitment to this community and the values that it stands for.

Your Feedback

Overwhelmingly, 82% of the respondents would like to find a way to preserve an athletic field on the land. Respondents identified that this would have to be accomplished by a donation of land to the City of Kelowna and that the biggest opportunity when beginning design is that addition of public space (53%).

Concerns identified by residents included many variations, the largest issues (33% of respondents) being a lack of amenities and separation of the athletic field from Quilchena Park. Concerns with the soccer field in particular were a lack of washrooms/facilities and seating (52%). Respondents gave a vast variety of excellent design comments and valid concerns such as:

  • would like walking path/dog walking trail maintained
  • parking improvements
  • universal accessibility
  • more trees
  • maintain neo traditional Kettle Valley style
  • connection of park spaces
  • preservation of lake views for existing homes
  • home frontages and curb appeal being maintained

The Land

The parcel of land in question is not a park, nor has it ever been a park. The vacant land and temporary sports field has been slated for development since the founding of our community, though School District 23 had an option to purchase the land, to be used specifically for a future middle or secondary school. The option was up in 2012 and a two-year extension was granted; the option to purchase fully expired in 2014. Were it not for this option, the land in question would have been developed much earlier in our community’s history.

The Sports Field

The Village of Kettle Valley is a community with a lot of heart and that has always fostered a special environment for families. That is why we worked with the City of Kelowna to construct a sports field in 1998, as part of the Partners in Parks program. Through this program, we allowed the City to use the land while the School District was considering the purchase option. We knew that it would be some time before a decision was made, so using it in the interim as a sports field made sense. Kettle Valley Holdings Ltd. benefited because the City of Kelowna cared for that portion of the property, the City benefitted from the ‘free’ ($1 a year lease) use of the land, and the general public benefitted from this partnership and the creation of a sports field.  Kettle Valley chose to take on the associated liabilities of public access to the adjacent private lands.

We are permitted to remove the sports field entirely, we do not wish to do that and we will include a new sports field in our final development proposal.

How Many Homes?

The current Area Structure Plan Proposal accounts for the construction of a maximum of 84 residential housing units on the property,  as noted in the development information presented. Our initial layouts showed all possibilities for locations of home styles under the current zoning. Some residents derived that there could be as many as 160 homes on the property. This is not true. No matter which home style is used, there will be a maximum of 84 residential units constructed on the property. Higher densities of these home styles corresponds directly to an increase in open space.

Increased Road Congestion

Rather than look at the number of vehicles estimated, it is important to look at the daily trip count, which is the key factor. The daily trip count from 84 dwellings is estimated at, or under approximately 200, which is significantly lower than the 700+ daily trip count that would have accompanied a secondary school on the site.

More Children

If every last dwelling under the Area Structure Plan were to have 2 children, we would see 168. Although it is hard to have concrete numbers, we anticipate a maximum of 60 children living in this area of ages 5-17 at one time. The capacity levels restrictions at Chute Lake Elementary have occurred, in large part, due to the surrounding developments which were approved much later than the Village of Kettle Valley Area Structure Plan. School District 23 calculates and addresses capacity levels and the solutions necessary.

OCP Amendment and Text Amendment

At this time we are not asking for an increase in density and our plan is to stay within our approved total unit count under the Area Structure Plan. We will only be required to apply for an amendment to change the designation from Institutional to residential.

A New Sports Field

The largest concern within the circulating petition is the removal of the sports field. Kettle Valley Holdings Ltd.plans to donate land to the city for the development of a new sports field. This is a decision that was made prior to the public open house and subsequent feedback, because we too value the local sports field and the numerous activities it provides for.

The current soccer field was always slated to be moved to accommodate school development, driving access and parking. The land that we have earmarked for donation is likely to be located adjacent to the very popular Quilchena Park, creating better access and parking. The expanded public parking would also make it more accessible for those with disabilities. The new sports field would likely continue to accommodate sports clinics, community activities, and sports of all kinds

Your Feedback is Always Welcome

The intent of the ownership and management of Kettle Valley is to finish the canvas that we started 20 years ago. We understand that much of what is said and communicated in relation to the ‘Quilchena Development’ can be confusing for some our residents. Unfortunately, it is the nature of respecting a formal development process and the legal parameters around that.

We welcome you to visit us at our Sales Centre, located at 5363 Jasper Way, just off of Mountainside Drive. You are also invited to give us a call at 250-764-2199 and we will be happy to address your concerns, so that you can make an informed decision and share your feedback.

 

Sincerely,

Stephen Wells, President
The Village of Kettle Valley