Council revising bylaw
The Town of Oliver has revised a bylaw dealing with agricultural irrigation charges.
The amendment was made to better reflect earlier discussions concerning maintenance of irrigation rates when a farm’s tax assessment lapses because of failure of the property owner to submit production data to the BC Assessment Authority.
Council previously decided to have staff physically examine farm properties to determine if they are still growing products, but the Town learned it was “not equipped to do that,” said Municipal Manager Tom Szalay.
So it amended the bylaw.
Szalay said the Town does not have the capacity or the intent to move into this assessment jurisdiction.
He noted the BC Assessment results have been used to determine whether irrigation on any parcel qualifies for the preferential agricultural rate.
The authority periodically requires owners to complete a report of agricultural activities and sales on their property.
If these reports are not submitted, the owners risk losing their farm assessment. This can result in significantly higher tax assessments and a loss in the cheaper agricultural water rate charged by the Town.
This occurred to at least one family in Oliver, who was billed the higher residential rate because it reportedly did not submit the required report to BC Assessment.
Council asked staff to devise a system whereby irrigation rates could continue to be applied to farmers who did not understand the reporting requirements or had inadvertently failed to file their reports as required.
The bylaw allowed the chief financial officer (Dave Svetlichny) to visually examine land use on these properties and continue charging the agricultural rate if the parcel is still being farmed.
But Szalay said the original draft of Bylaw 1344 was unfortunately worded as to allow the Town to determine farm use on any property (even one that had never previously qualified for farm assessment).
He noted the amended bylaw narrows the role of the chief financial officer to only review ongoing agricultural irrigation use on properties that qualified for farm status within the previous one or two years (before being reassessed).
Szalay said this time period is more than adequate for owners to file the necessary report.
“If owners have not complied within that time frame, they should be assumed to no longer qualify for farm status and be charged for non-farm use if they are still using Town water for irrigation.”
Szalay said property tax levies, under provincial legislation, cannot be reversed simply because the owner failed to submit his farm report on time.
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Council paves way for expansion
The Town of Oliver has approved the expansion of Green Acres Mobile Home Park, which will see five new lots being developed.
But several variances had to be given the green light first.
The applicant is seeking to develop five new manufactured home spaces on an adjacent parcel at 6613 Park Drive. The access to lot 1 will occur from Park Drive, while access to the remaining units will be from a new lane connecting to the road network within Green Acres.
In order to facilitate this development, a number of variances were approved, such as reducing minimum paved road width, reducing the radius of a right-of-way, reducing the requirement for a 4.5-metre buffer strip, and reducing the required recreation area within the park from five per cent to zero per cent.
The applicant stated that the development will provide five attractive, affordable new homes for seniors (age 55 and over).
“It will improve the appearance of the neigbourhood from the street and provide a desirable land usage for existing residents of Green Acres,” the applicant said.
Oliver Mayor Ron Hovanes commented that council initially favoured the proposal because it offered more affordable housing in the community.
But Councillor Dave Mattes raised a concern about the compactness of the five lots, noting they are very tight and could create a fire hazard.
He also pointed out there appears to be no room for decks. Mattes said it would be better if the applicant created four lots to create more room for verandas.
Municipal Manager Tom Szalay said there is enough separation between the buildings to avoid the risk of fire.
The applicant stated that the lot layout in the proposal complies with the bylaw. He also noted there should be enough room for decks.
But Councillor Jack Bennest mirrored Mattes’ concerns. He said tenants of Green Acres have expressed concerns about so many units being located adjacent to the alley, which will have an impact on traffic.
Bennest said developing two first-class manufactured homes would be a “better showcase” than the five being proposed.
The applicant said they are planning to extend the white picket fence and hedging to screen the units from the street.
Mattes lamented the fact there are no recreational amenities in the park, noting there was a swimming pool at one time.
The applicant said no one is complaining, adding the park is close to a golf course and beach.
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Council rejects declaration
Oliver council stood fast on its proclamation policy by rejecting a request to declare the first week of September as Mike Roberts Week.
Councillor Dave Mattes brought this forward for discussion recently despite the Town’s policy that no proclamations be issued for anything. In fact, the policy states that all requests “will be discarded without further action.”
Global News requested the proclamation for the popular, long-time weatherman who recently announced his retirement from local television.
“Not only has he served as a trusted face to report local news and weather, but he is also a well known humanitarian,” said station manager Derek Hinchliffe. “Few people in the Okanagan could claim as many awards and accolades for the work he does.”
Mattes agreed that Roberts certainly deserves acknowledgment in the Okanagan.
But Councillor Jack Bennest said a lot of people do wonderful things in the Okanagan, therefore, he questioned why council should make this proclamation.
Both Mattes and Councillor Maureen Doerr voted to approve the proclamation, while Bennest and Mayor Ron Hovanes were opposed.
An amended motion to write a letter of thanks to Roberts was subsequently passed.
But Doerr said council needs to revisit the proclamation issue, saying the Town has given “keys to the city” to other people in the past.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
