Eco-villa development in West Kelowna could provide another link in waterfront trail system

KELOWNA – Public access should be allowed across a proposed waterfront development before West Kelowna council approves it, making way for an expanded lakeside trail system.

That’s the recommendation from the Regional District of the Central Okanagan in a report going to West Kelowna council tomorrow, July 23.

The 2.48-hectare parcel is on Okanagan Lake, with Seclusion Bay Resort to the east and Peachland to the west.

Owned by Sky High Metals Corp., the proposal calls for 16 “eco-villas” on the lower, flatter part of the property and an expanded pier to provide mooring and lifts for each of the 2,000 square foot units. The upper part of the land has slopes steeper than 30 per cent.

The homes could be lived in year-round or put into the short-term rental market.

Since there are no city services running to the site, the developer is proposing an on-site septic system, using some wind and solar energy, reusing stormwater for landscaping and installing things like low flow plumbing and energy-efficient appliances.

The regional district is one of the agencies the proposal was referred to and wants the right of way in order to build on the Okanagan Trail 2000 concept that aims to have a waterfront trail from the Bennett bridge through Peachland. That, in turn, is hoped to someday connect with a proposed rail trail from Sicamous to Osoyoos.

West Kelowna council is being asked to send the application to a public hearing.

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