They came and they conquered – a “strategic plan” for Oliver’s future. Now the hard part begins in making it happen.
Town council’s ambitious document starts out with some key goals including promoting economic development, improving public amenities, and enhancing governance.
Councillor Larry Schwartzenberger said the strategic planning session was a very useful exercise.
“It was interesting for me to see how many council members and senior staff identified the same areas as important priorities for the Town going forward.”
Schwartzenberger sees the plan as a working document where staff and councillors are tasked to work on specific priorities that have “first step” timelines to work toward.
Economic development
The Town wants to boost its promotion of the “Wine Capital” theme by establishing a business task force
It also plans to establish another task force to promote its cultural amenities.
Revitalizing the downtown core is yet another plan, spurred on by initiating community engagement.
Council has identified four downtown catalyst projects, including a new hotel, street improvements, storefront revitalization, and a vacant land strategy. It wants to purchase a downtown lot for town development.
It also plans to embark on a marketing strategy for private/town land development.
Another idea to promote economic development is rerouting the highway to “give Main Street a slower pace.”
Under the RV Park Improvements Plan, the Town will upgrade Centennial Park and do an RV site reconfiguration while looking at a potential hotel development.
Improve public amenities
As part of the reconfiguration of Centennial RV Park, the Town will develop the “4th corner” public park by spring 2016.
It also plans to rejuvenate the business core with a “new Town hall” by constructing a more customer-friendly reception area.
Council will embark on an irrigation canal improvement strategy, complete the linear park project, review sidewalks and traffic-calming measures.
Other projects include: complete Buchanan Road well and river crossing, extend southwest airport electrical service, and convert street lights to LED.
Improve financial management
Council plans to develop a funding strategy for RCMP cost impacts relating to the Okanagan Correctional Centre and reaching the 5000 population threshold.
The Town also wants to develop a land inventory and opportunities to partner with the private sector.
Enhance governance
The Town will review its bylaw enforcement policies relating to unsightly premises and the complaint process. It is also considering a “Good Neighbour Bylaw.”
In addition, council is preparing a new Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw.
Developing paperless council agendas is also on the radar.
In the long term, the Town plans to look at a crime enforcement (policing) strategy.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
