Kelowna on verge of electric vehicle and e-bike expansion

Kelowna council has given the green light to a new strategy to support electric vehicles and e-bikes.

One of the 39 recommendations is to require charging infrastructure in new residential, commercial, industrial and gas stations starting in 2023.

The changes in the Community Electric Vehicle and E-Bike Strategy will be part of upcoming zoning bylaw amendments.

The following are other highlights from Kelowna council’s Sept 27 meeting.

Agricultural land exclusion

Council approved asking the Agricultural Land Commission to allow the owners of a 30-acre farm at 355-357 Valley Road in Glenmore to convert an existing accessory four-plex building into living space for the owners, farm manager and four temporary farm workers.

The property is currently being replanted with peaches, apples, and cherries.

2040 Transportation Master Plan

Council approved the draft 2040 Transportation Master Plan, a long-term, citywide plan for transportation improvements that will help keep Kelowna moving, now and into the future.

It recognizes that Kelowna is growing, the climate is changing, and transportation needs are evolving.

The plan has set targets for 2040, including doubling transit ridership, quadrupling the number of trips made by bicycle, and reducing the average distance each person drives by 20 per cent.

The final public engagement for the plan launches this week and will occur over three weeks through mid-October.

After hearing from the public, staff will make final refinements to the draft plan and bring the Final 2040 Plan to council for endorsement, expected before the end of 2021