UPDATE: Plans for Okanagan Gondola moving ahead

UPDATE: 1:00 p.m.
Dec. 15, 2022

The Regional District of North Okanagan board passed second reading of both the rezoning and official community plan bylaw changes for the Okanagan Gondola proposal at their meeting Dec. 14.

It still has to receive third reading and final approval before it can proceed.

The board withheld a public hearing until the proponents have provided:

• a traffic impact study which has been accepted by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure;
• a written response from the Okanagan Indian Band following their review of the proposal;
• information to address water supply issues related to the proposed commercial use and wildfire protection;
• information about how the impact of road access to mid and upper lift stations and potential reservoirs would be addressed.

Final adoption of the bylaws will be withheld until the applicant has made suitable arrangements with the RDNO to secure a 5 metre wide corridor on the property for a future public trail.

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Original story
Dec. 14, 2022

It’s been out of the news for a few months, but plans for a major commercial-tourism venture on land south of Vernon, continue to move ahead.

Back in March, the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) board approved support-in-principal to the Okanagan Gondola proposal on 285 acres (100 hectares) off Bailey Road west of Highway 97, and overlooking Kalamalka Lake.

The property is in RDNO Electoral Area B, and some of it is in the Agricultural Land Reserve.

The investment in phase one by the Kelowna-based development company, Ridge North America, is estimated at $50 million.

The company is seeking rezoning and official community plan changes for its proposal which would include a gondola, along with zip lines, restaurants, retail sales, wedding and event venues, an amphitheatre, mountain biking and walking trails and agricultural activities.

The company’s application is before the RDNO board this week for second reading of the bylaw, which RDNO staff are recommending the board support.

Staff are still waiting for the company to complete a traffic impact study before setting a public hearing date, and the applicant also has to secure a five-metre wide corridor on the property for a future public trail.

Since March, the proposal has received a number of referral comments from governments, agencies and technical experts.

A referral from RDNO’s building inspections department stated one of the big issues is the access for firefighting.

“The area the buildings are proposed is outside the 10-minute response time from the local fire department. This can have an effect on not only the construction and cladding of the building, but access routes, provisions for firefighting, fire alarm and detection systems etc.,” the report stated.

The City of Vernon said the project could have positive impacts to tourism and the local economy, but stated concerns about transportation impacts, and that the venture may open the door for future development.

“We recommend a restrictive covenant to eliminate future residential/tourist residential (including hotels, resort) development on the subject property,” the city’s comments said.

A geotechnical report said the development is feasible provided that its recommendations are incorporated into the overall design.

A hydrological study showed the conditions for developing an onsite groundwater supply system to provide water service to the development is considered “marginally feasible” due to the original bedrock conditions on the site.

“It is expected that multiple wells at different locations will be required to satisfy the water demand for the site, with additional water sources also likely required to maintain these demands over the longer-term horizon,” that report stated.

The Okanagan Indian Band’s (OKIB) input included concerns about management of water use and sewage disposal, road use, fire hazards and fire protection.

Ridge North America has offered OKIB over $27,000 in capacity funding to help cover the costs for an archeological review, environmental review and for legal support.

OKIB said it will accept the capacity funding on the understanding that it is a starting point, and additional funding may be required to support OKIB in the consultation process.

“Additionally, acceptance of this funding does not in any way constitute OKIB’s consent for the project, discharge the Crown from its obligation to consult OKIB on this project or constitute an admission by OKIB that consultation has been fulfilled, or constitute permission for North Ridge to proceed with this project.” the band stated.

Ridge North America is projecting Okanagan Gondola could create 200 full and part time positions along with $25 million in tax revenues over five years and $100 million in tourism spending over five years.