Wednesday, April 23, 2014 Lake Country CalendarL
A2 www.lakecountrycalendar.com
news
Proposal on table for largest commercial development ever R KEVIN PARNELL
results when it comes to business development over the past year as some long-time local
The District of Lake Country has had mixed
businesses have closed and a nearby industrial area has taken a hit. But there are still
many positive signs moving ahead for the community of 12,000 including a proposal for
a large commercial development that, if approved by district council, would be the largest
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RECRUITMENT
ever in Lake Country. “The proponent for this project has proposed upwards of 38,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, which would make it the largest commercial development the district has ever seen,” said Ryan Roycroft, Lake Country’s economic development manager. “The project has been in the approval process for some stage as the Ministry of Transportation reviewed the file, but is now moving forward,” Roycroft said. The proposal is in the rezoning process with the next step being a public hearing where members of the public will have a chance to air concerns about the project. If approved the project would be home to several retail outlets, including three proposed food service drive-throughs and one bank drive-through. Other principal uses outlined in the proposal including an animal clinic, government services and a liquor store among the 17 outlets listed as principal use. The development is at the corner of Highway 97 and Oceola Roads, the main access to the Lakes and Carr’s Landing neighbourhoods, immediately across the street from the Tim Horton’s in Lake Country. “Appropriate development will enhance this highly visible corner, provide additional commercial/retail opportunities, offsite improvements and additional jobs and taxation revenue,” district staff wrote in a zoning amendment bylaw. For Roycroft, charged with attracting new business and helping established company’s, it’s a sign of good things to come, amidst a bit of a rocky year. “We have unfortunately seen several long-
time local businesses close, and the nearby industrial area in Kelowna has been hurt by the closure of the railway,” he said. “But increasingly, we are seeing more and more positive news in the community and council is optimistic about long term growth prospects.” Roycroft said there are other good signs for the community as it moves forward. Building permits have started to come back strongly as the district issued 8.3 million dollars in permits during the first quarter of 2014, up from 2.9 million over the same period last year, the strongest first quarter performance that the district has seen since 2010. “Best of all, those permits include single family, multi-family and new commercial development in relative balance, which is particularly good news,” said Roycroft. Lake Country is also taking a more pro-active approach to community promotion than it has in the past. The district has sent staff to three major trade shows across B.C. and Alberta to promote the community this year as part of a more active plan to bring business and tourism into the community. For the first time, the Visitors Information Centre will also be providing mobile services on a trial basis, as well as hosting a brickand-mortar site. “This summer, the district will be pushing a more active business retention and expansion program through frequent one on one business interviews and direct support where possible,” said Roycroft. “This should help council develop a deeper understanding of the local business community to best tailor programs and services to meet its needs.”
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