
BREATHING EASIER Find out where carbon dioxide is at in your home P.6
BREATHING EASIER Find out where carbon dioxide is at in your home P.6
CAMPING CRASHES Slow down and stay safe during camping season P.8
Peachland is pushing to provide sewer service to the entire district
By John McDonalD Staff RepoRteR
It may not be as glamorous as sprucing up downtown but the push to provide sewer hook ups to the houses that don’t have them haS proven to be a persistent concern to Peachland
District of Peachland graphic illustration Peachland’s proposed sewer installation project would be done in two phases.
…is delivered free of charge to every home, every business, every week.
• Peachland Community Newspaper Society
5878C Beach Avenue, Peachland, B.C. V0H 1X7
250 859 4295
• Board of Directors
President Keith Fielding
Treasurer Ted Cave
Director Geoff Trafford
Director Donna Cave
Director Ted Black
• Managing Editor
John McDonald
250 859 2429
• Advertising Sales
Alan Monk
250 212 4888
• Website
Alex Morrison
Visit peachlandpost.org
• We respectfully acknowledge our society operates on the traditional territory of the Syilx/Okanagan People.
• Peachland Post gratefully acknowledges office space provided by Brenda Renewables.
Haul your lawn chair down to Heritage Park on Thursday evening if you want to take advantage of the free Peachland Summer Series.
The concert series began last week and will continue next week, July 24 with Harold Sher.
Rounding out the ten-concert series are the Blues Blenders, July 31, Papa Thom and the Elderly Brothers, Aug. 7, Johnny Carwash & the Desert Dawgz, Aug. 14, Mother Tone, Aug. 21 and Dean & Friends, Aug. 28.
The free concerts begin every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Heritage Park, 5834 Beach Ave in downtown Peachland.
The District of Peachland is looking to raise development applications and license fees, as well as those charged for short term rental licenses.
Staff compared the current fees to those charged by Kelowna, Penticton, Summerland, West Kelowna, Lake Country and Vernon, as well as two municipalities from outside the region, according to a district media release.
Comparable fees in Peachland were found to be lower and inadequately reflect project size, complexity and staff involvement.
The fee increases will be considered at an upcoming council meeting.
An update to the district’s video surveillance policy will allow for the installation of surveillance cameras in areas where increased vandalism is being reported.
In a media release, the district says cameras will be installed outside public washrooms at Swim Bay, Peachland Museum and the Todd Road lift station.
Vandalism requiring clean up, repairs and in some cases, facility closure have happened in all these locations, the release said.
The policy allows surveillance footage from all its locations to be shared with the RCMP for criminal investigations.
poSt Staff
By John McDonalD Staff RepoRteR
The provincial government is urging local residents to adopt voluntary water restrictions as we move into what may be the driest part of summer.
Peachland is currently operating under level 1 watering restrictions, according to district spokesperson Kirsten Jones, but the province is asking people to voluntarily go beyond the legal mandate.
“Saving water and responding to drought is a shared responsibility, and we know that early action can make a big difference, especially when we work together,” said Minister of Water Randene Neill in a media release.
Voluntary reduction and water-conservation measures can play a critical role in maintaining stream flows, according to the ministry.
In some B.C. communities, residential water use makes up as much as 70 per cent of total use during the summer months, which is why even small changes can make a big difference. These include watering your lawn less often or switching to drought-tolerant plants; using a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways or patios; turning off the tap while brushing your teeth or washing dishes; and fixing leaky faucets.
Peachland council is taking another run at dealing with a set of retaining walls illegally installed that it says “constitute a hazardous condition.”
The retaining walls, installed years ago at 5475 Pierce St. have been the subject of previous actions from council that were never fully carried out..
According to the release, much of the Southern Interior is expected to remain dry with little to no rainfall, with drought conditions worsening and stream flows continuing to decline in the Okanagan, Nicola, Kettle and Slocan-Lower Columbia basins.
This spring, the provincial government updated its drought and water scarcity response plan, which included a new emphasis on early action and support for local-decision making.
The government has also established the $100-million Watershed Security Fund to support local water projects that build drought resilience and has provided more
than $100 million for the Agricultural Water Infrastructure program to help farmers and communities build better water storage and delivery systems, as well as more funding for emergency response and community planning to better manage water shortages when they happen.
Meanwhile, Jones said the district’s engineering department is not considering a move to level 2 watering restrictions at this time, but that it could change subject to regular monitoring.
For more information, on Peachland’s water restrictions go to peachland.ca/water/conserving-water. ••
Lake Avenue at 13th Street 250-767-9237
Sunday Morning Service: 10:30 am
Pastor: Lyle Wahl
peachlandbaptistcanada.com
There is a sermon audio available on our website each week.
SERVICES AT 10 AM
Pastor: Ian McLean ALL ARE WELCOME
For 10:00 am zoom service, visit www.peachlandunited.ca
According to the media release put out by the district, the walls were constructed without permit and used “potentially toxic materials.”
The order approved by council would direct the property owner to remove the structures, restore the slope on which they were built under the direction of a qualified professional and provide confirmation the slope meets geotechnical safety standards.
While a deadline has not been specified, the order directs the property owner to comply within a specified time.
Failure to do so, will see the district perform the necessary remediation and then recover the relevant costs from the property owner.
poSt Staff
Guest
columnist Janice Liebe is a retired Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.
Peachland residents care deeply about our town’s small-town character – it’s what draws people here and keeps them here.
But what exactly does that mean? We may each picture it differently, and it’s not always easy to articulate.
Still, if we hope to preserve what we value, we must take the time to define it and find consensus.
I offer the following observations to help clarify what gives Peachland’s downtown its unique and cherished character:
• Fine-grained retail, typically four to eight separate units per block, each with its entrance off Beach Avenue.
• A street wall no taller than one to two stories, preserving the pedestrian scale of the street.
• Five distinct buildings per block, each with different materials, style, and parapet height – not large, consolidated developments.
•Upper floors set back at least nine metres, keeping taller
To the editor:
This letter is directed to the District of Peachland and its survey program for the OCP and downtown revitalization. It is so bad that it’s no wonder you had so few comments and submissions.
Thursday I spent quite a bit of time and completed most of the survey and tried to go to the next page, but I got an error message saying the creator was modifying the survey and my responses would be saved.
But they were not saved and when I called and told them of my disgust at spending all that time just to have the program fail, someone called me back and said the survey is done by the consultants and she had no connection with the survey. The consultants should be fired. They have done a very poor job of this survey and no wonder you are not getting
any feedback from residents. It is so frustrating and a waste of time so people give up.
I tried again the next day to complete the survey but on the last page when I clicked ‘next’ I got an ad to create my own survey, not the required ‘Thank you for completing your survey and it has now been submitted’.
There is no confirmation that the survey was even submitted. The consultants should not be paid for doing such a poor job and not having the program in good form.
Please correct the survey program and give residents more time to submit their feedback. Print another request in the Peachland Post and publicize that the survey program has been corrected and is open for a longer period to accept their feedback.
Valerie Smith, Peachland
“ This is not about recreating a quaint “old town” like Disneyland… Janice Liebe “
buildings visually unobtrusive (as seen in the Edgewater Inn).
• Zero-lot-line buildings, creating a continuous and engaging street edge.
• A mix of old and new architecture, anchored by several of the town’s earliest buildings – modest in scale and simple in form – that lend a sense of authenticity.
This is not about recreating a quaint “old town” like Disneyland.
It’s about understanding that real places have layers of history.
Peachland still retains original buildings – the museum, Jac’s, Sunnyside Market, Cibo’s, and Peachland Sushi among them, which lend our downtown authenticity and continuity.
Respecting their scale, materials, and street presence, while integrating well-designed contemporary buildings, is a more genuine and lasting approach to town building.
As the Downtown Revitalization Implementation Strategy moves forward, the most critical phase still lies ahead: defining design guidelines that will shape our downtown for decades to come.
The most debated issue will likely be density – how much, and where.
I believe density is crucial to the long-term success of our downtown area.
A more vibrant residential base will support shops, add year-round vitality, and make our community more resilient.
But density is not the enemy. What matters most is
form and character, as well as how density is introduced.
If the human scale and rhythm of Beach Avenue are preserved, greater density can be accommodated by placing additional density on the back half of the Beach Avenue blocks and by allowing taller forms and more intensive residential development between Waldo Way and the highway.
As zoning and OCP updates proceed, I recommend:
• Requiring five to 10 distinct commercial units per block on Beach Avenue, each with its own entrance and a maximum frontage of approx. 15 metres.
• Capping individual commercial unit size at approx. 500 m ≤ (a typical lot), to support local business diversity.
• Allowing no street-level setbacks on Beach Avenue, with a minimum nine-metre setback above the second floor, and a maximum of five storeys.
• Requiring that each block on Beach Avenue maintain the appearance of at least five distinct buildings, with varied materials, articulation, and parapet height, even when lots are consolidated.
• Conducting block-level planning to confirm that proposed densities are viable and compatible with street character, with public illustrations shared before adoption.
• Where existing buildings are too degraded to retain, requesting reconstruction of character facades, with design guidelines identifying which facades hold community interest.
If we want to preserve what makes Peachland’s downtown so loved, we must be precise and intentional, not just in principle, but in the zoning and design tools we apply.
With care and thoughtful planning, we can welcome growth while staying true to our roots. ••
To the editor:
This is an open letter to the mayor, members of council and the Downtown Revitalization Task Force.
To say the I am disheartened to receive notice of these two pop-up events stating that “Community input is a vital part of this process” with only 24 to 72 hours notice doesn’t come close to expressing my supreme disappointment in the district’s process.
Unfortunately I missed the first one, and due to an important appointment, I will not be able to attend the next one. During my more than 17-year residency in Peachland, I have noticed important council meetings and community involvement requests scheduled during the summer when people are experiencing numerous visits of family and friends or enjoying their own summer travel plans.
If you are truly interested in getting “vital community input, more advanced notice at a better time of year is highly recommended.
In addition, after spending time and thought to completing the online survey requesting suggestions for the OCP update sent out earlier, I left the survey. When I returned it had closed and my answers had all disappeared. Having a survey without being able to save your answers and return is frustrating.
I do not want to be left out of this process as I care deeply about the look and feel of the town I call my forever home. What other future events are being planned, and how much notice can I expect to receive?
Alison
Moore, Peachland
The guest column in this edition of Peachland Post written by retired architect Janice Liebe, points out that while we might all agree on the desirability of preserving Peachland’s small town character during downtown revitalization, we might each have quite different interpretations of what that actually means.
Liebe helps to clarify what gives Peachland its unique character, and includes important observations and recommendations for preserving that character when zoning, OCP changes and design guidelines arising from the currently unfolding DRIS process are developed.
Public engagement with that process is critical, but it is being hampered by two problems.
First, the DRIS process is positioned as part of a minor Official Community Plan update. According to the Urban Systems consultant leading the
process, that means a lower level of public engagement is expected compared to that required for a full OCP update.
But we are talking here about the future look and feel of our entire downtown.
So whether or not a low level of engagement is allowable, a high level of public engagement is clearly essential if we are to have any confidence that the final product has broad community support.
Secondly, for many people, the current consultation pro-
cess involving pop-up events and a survey does not get to the heart of the matter.
As the saying goes ‘a picture is worth a thousand words.’ Knowing what the downtown might actually look like under different development scenarios is critical for public understanding.
If council is serious about securing public input it can attend to both these concerns by ramping up its communications strategy to include town hall meetings and by setting up display boards explaining the issues and providing clear visual impressions of what would be allowed under the various zoning and OCP changes under consideration.
Let’s make sure that fully informed community voices are what finally drives DRIS outcomes.
Keith Fielding is President of the Peachland Community Newspaper Society.
I’m a retired school teacher.
I remember a guy coming into the classroom to measure the carbon dioxide level. He smiled when he took the reading, and said the air was the same as if we were outside.
productivity can be negatively affected. Safety is compromised. Long term exposure to elevated levels can lead to inflammation, changes in how our genes operate, confusion, difficulty concentrating, memory issues, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, reduced productivity and less innovation.
The brain is being prevented from using oxygen efficiently.
Since 1974, measurements of CO2 levels have been recorded at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii.
On July 2, their atmosphere had 430 parts per million of carbon dioxide. There are places on the planet with more and less.
I had both doors open, all the windows, and the door to the outside of the building was open nearby. He said the CO2 concentration was way too high in the room next door, as the windows and doors were closed.
Why monitor the CO2 in a classroom? It can cross the blood-brain barrier. Levels around 1,000 can make you feel foggy in your thinking. It affects your body chemistry. Long term exposure to high levels can cause you blood to increase in acidity. Not a good thing.
Decision-making skills get affected. In a workplace,
Indoor air quality has a big influence on health. Air filtration systems have become very effective in removing particulate matter such as allergens, dust, smoke, odours, and mold. They also help move the air around, but do not remove CO2.
Insulating buildings makes them airtight for energy efficiency but trap CO2 and allow levels to rise.
Classrooms, offices, industrial workplaces and auditoriums will have higher levels, as will any crowded workplaces with poor ventilation.
Inside our homes, we can control our air and create a healthy environment.
Open windows for fresh air. Grow plants, as they absorb some CO2 and give off oxygen. Use fans to move the air. Install a fresh air duct into a forced air furnace system.
Use the kitchen fan when cooking with gas. Keep smoke outside.
A CO2 monitor can help you monitor your air space. Mine records CO2, particulate matter, and formaldehyde. I’ve used it in hotel rooms and the readings gave me peace of mind. Health Canada says the long-term exposure limit is 1000 parts per million (ppm) based on a 24-hour average.
Some countries have the limit at 600. Our house is usually
around 410. Standing amidst the low-hanging branches of our maple tree, it’s 405.
On hot or smoky days when I have all the windows closed it’s over 1000.
As planetary levels rise over the next decades, research studies are predicting that the air could be slowly altering our intelligence as a species.
Brain health is crucial for clear thinking. Going outside and breathing deeply in fresh air is rejuvenating to the whole body.
Judy Wyper is a member of the Peachland Watershed Protection Alliance.
SEWERS FROM PAGE 1
Phase one properties include the lower Princeton, Trepanier and Ponderosa areas while phase two include those in the Cousins Road, north-east Walker Road and upper Princeton areas.
The district estimates those in phase one will pay as much as $350 a year for 25 years with phase two paying as much as $1,000 per year over the same time frame. Not included in that price is the initial sewer connection and the cost of decommissioning existing septic fields.
Van Minsel says the district is in line for a $4-million grant from the Okanagan Basin Water Board and plans to raise another $4 million from a voter approved local service area fee that is already being collected from property owners.
The balance would come from a pair of federal and provincial infrastructure grants totalling $18 million
Without the grants —an estimated $8 million from the province and another $10 million from the federal government — the district says the price jumps to $2,600 per year for 25 years for phase one homes and $7,000 per year over the same timeline for those in phase two.
To soften the blow, homeowners will have as long as 15 years before they must connect to the system, a concession Van Minsel says to those who may have recently upgraded or replaced their current septic systems.
While the impact on bank accounts of homeowners is substantial, Van Minsel says the positives will ultimately outweigh the costs in everything from public health to resale value of homes.
The letter to residents states that improperly maintained septic systems can leak contam-
inants, cause serious illness and are a risk to the environment.
A sewer system, on the other hand, would help keep Okanagan Lake and local beaches clean and safe while protecting water sources for drinking and recreational use.
Beyond the immediate benefits,
Van Minsel says the sewer project would also open up as many as 70 potential sites in Peachland for residential development, increasing the property tax base and improving the district’s finances.
“Right now a developer has to install it themselves,” he adds.
“They would still have to pay to hook up but it would already be in place, which makes it easier.
The mayor has already begun the lobbying process during a trip to Victoria in April and plans to continue the effort during the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention this September.
“As it stands now, we are on their radar,” he says of his previous efforts, which included face-to-face meetings with various ministers and deputy ministers, something
he says is critical to success.
“Personal meetings are the best. That’s where we get the message across,” Van Minsel says. “Online meetings are just not the same.”
Should the project secure the necessary funding, Van Minsel estimates shovels will be in the ground within two years. And he likes our chances.
“We have some money to bring to the table. We are ready to go,” he adds.
(The mayor doesn’t much
like to think about how to proceed should the infrastructure grants not be forthcoming but has a plan B in the form of a public private partnership.
The district has begun a consultation where the owners of unserviced properties can say through an online survey if they are interested in the sewer project and how much they would be willing to pay for it.
The survey is open until Aug. 31 at ca.research.net/r/ PeachlandSewer. ••
It has come to the attention of the Board of Directors of Peachland Post that a July 4 article regarding real estate signs blocking the view of drivers exiting onto Hwy. 97 at Antlers Beach has caused offence in the real estate community.
While it was hoped that the deprecatory language expressed by the complainant and quoted in the article “they are stupid people who just don’t care” would be seen as an expression of his frustration, we acknowledge that counterpoint commentary was called for.
We deeply regret any offence caused by the article and will be pleased to meet with any industry representatives who may wish to discuss the matter further.
Speed is a top contributing factor in crashes over the summer and ICBC wants you to be aware of that as the summer progresses.
“As we look forward to long weekend road trips and summer vacations, we want everyone travelling on our roads this season to stay safe,” said Kathleen Nadalin, ICBC’s road safety program manager. “Do your part by driving at a safe speed and leaving enough following distance to reduce your risk of crashing, and help keep motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists who share our roads safe.”
“Speeding, distracted driving and impaired driving are factors in far too many crashes in our province,” said Garry Begg, Minister of Public Safety. “In addition to managing your speed, please put your phones away, enjoy yourself responsibly and focus on safety this weekend.”
ICBC is mandated to improve road safety in B.C. for all road users by working with communities, law enforcement, and other partners on a wide variety of road safety campaigns and initiatives, the corporation said in a media release.
Every year it invests $50 million to make B.C. roads safer “from improvements through our road improvement program and public education and awareness campaigns, to the intersection safety camera program, the release said.
Do a pre-trip check on your vehicle before heading out. Make sure the tire tread is adequate, oil level and condition are good, washer fluid is topped up and your lights and turn signals are working properly.
With warmer weather, we share our roads with more motorcyclists,
pedestrians and cyclists. Do your part to keep them safe by increasing your following distance, reducing your speed and always being on the lookout for vulnerable road users.
Plan your route ahead of time and give yourself extra time to get to your destination. Consider that
• Time and distance needed to stop goes up the faster you drive.
• Avoid summer crashes (and hefty fines) by putting your phone away while driving.
• A designated driver is a good idea even in the summer if your plans involve consuming alcohol or drugs.
the roads may be busier than normal. Check current road conditions at drivebc.ca.
Manage your speed and following distance – you may have to adjust your speed and following distance based on traffic flow and volume. The higher speed you travel, the more time and distance you need to stop and react on the road. Posted speed limits may change suddenly in construction zones.
Put your phone away and avoid distractions that take your mind and eyes off the road. Distracted driving is a top contributing factor to summer crashes so stay focused and leave your phone alone.
If your long weekend plans involve alcohol or other drugs, plan ahead for a safe ride home. A designated driver is a great option or book a taxi, ride hailing service, or transit. ••
Registration may be required for the following activities or events. Please contact the phone number or website provided for more details.
SATURDAY
PEACHLAND MUSEUM & VISITOR CENTRE
250-767-3441
Open Daily10-6 PM
Train exhibit is operating PEACHLAND LIBRARY
250-767-9111
Learn Digital Drawing with a computer 1-3 PM
PEACHLAND COMMUNITY CENTRE
250-767-2133
Facility Closed OUR SPACE
250-212-0211
OKANAGAN FOLK SCHOOL okfolkschool.ca
PEACHLAND ART GALLERY
250-767-7422
12th annual OASIS
38 Okanagan Artists
PEACHLAND LEGION
250-767-9404
Meat Draw & 50-50 Draw 3-5 PM
Everyone Welcome
SUNDAY
PEACHLAND ART GALLERY
250-767-7422
12th annual OASIS
38 Okanagan artists
OKANAGAN FOLK SCHOOL okfolkschool.ca
PEACHLAND COMMUNITY CENTRE
Facility Closed
MONDAY
PEACHLAND COMMUNITY CENTRE
Indoor Walking: 8-9 AM
Creators Art Camp: 1-3pm
Pickleball All Play
Drop In: 12:30-2:30 PM
Spin, Core & Stretch 6:30-7:30 PM
Swimming Lessons Monday to Friday at Swim Bay
Preschool 1-5: 12-12:30 PM
Swimmer 1: 11:30-12 PM
Swimmer 2/3: 11-11:30 AM
Swimmer 4: 10:30-11 AM
Events listings are free to non-profit and community groups. Submit by Friday, 3 p.m. for publication the following Friday at info@peachlandpost.org
Swimmer 5/6: 10-10:30 AM
Ranger Patrol: 10-11 AM
PEACHLAND WELLNESS CENTRE
Adult Day Service 9 AM
50 PLUS CENTRE
250-767-9133
50 plus fitness 9-10 AM
We Art Here (on hold)
Bridge 1-3:30 PM
TUESDAY
PEACHLAND LIBRARY
250-767-9111
Evan the juggler
10 AM Drop in
PEACHLAND WELLNESS CENTRE
Mens coffee & Crib 1 PM
Bereavement group 1:30-3PM
United Church
PEACHLAND COMMUNITY CENTRE
Flow Yoga 9-10 AM
Remedy Yoga (Level 2)
10:30-11:45 AM
Movement & Dance 9-9:45 AM
Intro to Ballet 10-10:45 AM
Pickleball All Play Drop In 11 AM-1 PM
Creators Art Camp: 1-3pm
50 PLUS CENTRE
Yoga 8:30-9:30 AM
Fellowship (AA) 12-1 PM
Mahjong 1-4 PM
Passion 4 Art 1-4 PM
Line Dancing 4:30-5:30 PM
Cloggers 6-6:45 PM
PEACHLAND LEGION
Euchre 2 PM
Drop in Darts 7 PM
WEDNESDAY
PEACHLAND COMMUNITY CENTRE
Indoor Walking 8-9 AM
Pickleball All Play 12:30-2:30 PM
Creators Art Camp: 1-3pm
PEACHLAND ART GALLERY
250-767-7422
12th annual OASIS
38 Okanagan artists
OUR SPACE
250-767-7422
Drop in art 1-3 PM
Terry Moore
50 PLUS CENTRE
50+ fitness 9-10 AM
Chair Yoga 10:30-11:30 AM
Bridge 1:00-3:30 PM
THURSDAY
50 PLUS CENTRE
Yoga 8:30-9:30 AM
Art in Peachland 9:30-2:30 PM
Iron & Silk 11 AM
Ukulele 1-2:30 PM
No Bingo
PEACHLAND ART GALLERY
250-767-7422
12th annual OASIS
38 Okanagan artists
PEACHLAND COMMUNITY CENTRE
Intro to Ballet 10-10:45 AM
Jazz 11-11:55 AM
Pickleball All Play 11 AM-1 PM
Creators Art Camp: 1-3pm
Pickleball 3.5+ 1:30-3:30 PM
PEACHLAND LEGION
Meat draw & 50-50 3-5 PM
Everyone Welcome
PEACHLAND LIBRARY
250-767-9111
Children’s art program 10 AM
Registration required
PEACHLAND WELLNESS CENTRE
250-826-6570
Adult day service 9 AM
Emergency preparedness workshop
1 PM
Specialist in emergency response
Refreshments served
Registration advised
FRIDAY
PEACHLAND ART GALLERY
250-767-7422
12th annual OASIS
38 Okanagan artists
PEACHLAND COMMUNITY CENTRE
Indoor Walking 8-9 AM
Flow Yoga 9-10 AM
Remedy Yoga (Level 1)
10:30-11:45 AM
Pickleball All Play 12:30-2:30 PM
Creators Art Camp: 1-3pm
50 PLUS CENTRE
50+ Fitness 9-10 AM
Chair yoga 10:30-11:30 AM
Canasta 1-4 PM
Knitting 1-3 PM
For information on more programs at Peachland Community Centre search on-line at peachland.ca/recguide. For additional information re: Pickleball lessons and games, contact Zoe at 250-767-2133.