Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle
Regional directors for Oliver and Osoyoos are hoping that a recent meeting with a government minister will reap some benefits this year.
Municipal Affairs Minister Anne Kang met with Area C director Rick Knodel and Area A director Mark Pendergraft, along with Boundary-Similkameen MLA Roly Russell, and Area D director Matt Taylor.
The meeting was held at Oliver town council chambers, where several topics were discussed, including environmentally sensitive development permits, rural tax assessment, one hectare development policy, unequal treatment of small food farms, Okanagan Falls incorporation study, economic development, housing, and the closing of the Midway sawmill.
Pendergraft said the session was an opportunity to meet the new minister and give her a brief update on what is happening in the district including rural Osoyoos.
He indicated there was no specific “ask” from Osoyoos at this time, but he expects there will be at some point this term.
Knodel was pleasantly surprised that the minister requested the meeting.
“They came to us, which is not normal”
The director said everything the regional district does is affected by this ministry. For example, land management, he pointed out.
“The ministry has a lot of sway on housing needs.”
