After spending $70,000 to rewrite the Town’s zoning bylaw, more work (and ultimately more money) is needed to correct a number of deficiencies in the plan.

On February 25 council expressed concern about having to basically rewrite Zoning Bylaw 1330 after contracting Urban Systems to do it last year.

The bylaw was rewritten (and adopted in September of 2012) to enhance existing land use policies and development regulations. It addressed issues such as carriage house siting, Main Street parking requirements and industrial land uses.

Following its adoption, the Town has had to undertake a number of amendments to address issues in relation to new zones and inconsistencies between graphic illustrations and text.

Municipal Manager Tom Szalay said staff considers it prudent to review the bylaw more thoroughly.

Councillor Maureen Doerr asked Szalay who recommended Urban Systems. He said the Town received three proposals and the Kelowna company’s bid was the most comprehensive.

Szalay said he and former development services director Stephanie Johnson agreed that Urban Systems was the best choice. He noted that Johnson resigned her position with the Town and went to work for Urban Systems.

Doerr expressed a concern that Johnson recommended the company’s bid and ended up working for the firm.

Doerr said the Town paid the company to rewrite the bylaw, and now it has to pay RDOS planner Christopher Garrish to fix the problem with another rewrite.

Szalay estimated the rewrite could cost the Town between $4,000 and $5,000.

Councillor Jack Bennest said the Town should not have to rewrite this bylaw. Therefore, he made a motion that council write Urban Systems about these concerns and inform them of the contemplated work needed to correct the deficiencies.

Mayor Ron Hovanes said if the company wants to do future business with the Town, it will do the right thing.

The Chronicle asked Urban Systems if it was aware of the problems and if the company was prepared to do anything to rectify them.

Company planner Greg Leighton said any questions should be directed to the Town’s administrator (Szalay).