West Bench Geotechnical Review

Overview

At its meeting of October 7, 2021, the Planning and Development (P&D) Committee of the Regional District Board received the final report of the Greater West Bench Geotechnical Review from Ecora and Clarke Geoscience Limited.

A copy of the report can be accessed at the following link: Greater West Bench Geotechnical Review (version 2022-12-22)

Video Presentation - October 7, 2021

The following video link is to the presentation made by Jen Clarke of Clarke Geoscience Ltd. and Michael Laws of Ecora to the Planning and Development (P&D) Committee of the Regional District Board on October 7, 2021:

Background

With the adoption of a new Electoral Area "F" Official Community Plan (OCP) Bylaw in 2018, the Regional District Board implemented a new policy to "support an updated technical assessment of geotechnical hazards in the West Bench / Sage Mesa area using new technologies (e.g., LiDAR) that were not available when the area was last assessed."

In response, a Request for Proposals (RFP) was subsequently released on September 6, 2019, seeking submissions from qualified Proponents to complete a geotechnical review for the greater West Bench area to accurately define existing hazardous areas and determine the application of appropriate Planning land uses.

This review includes all lands in the West Bench, Sage Mesa and Husula Highlands (i.e. Greater West Bench), and is to provide the Regional District with a final report and assessment of the Greater West Bench area geotechnical conditions utilizing historical and up-to-date data and applying modern technology and methods. The final report and mapping is also intended to give the Regional District better understanding of what land use policies specific to GWB may be needed to better inform and guide residents of the geotechnical conditions and uses of the lands.

At its meeting of October 17, 2019, the Regional District Board awarded a contract for the geotechnical review for the Greater West Bench Area to Ecora Engineering & Resource Group Ltd. in association with Clarke Geoscience Ltd.

Proposed Official Community Plan (OCP) & Zoning Bylaw Amendments

In response to recommendations contained within the the Greater West Bench Geotechnical Review (2021), the Regional District is proposing to initiate a number of amendments to the Electoral Area “F” Official Community Plan (OCP) and Zoning Bylaw.  This includes, amongst other things, the following:

  • amend the Electoral Area ‘F’ Official Community Plan (OCP) Bylaw No. 2790, 2018, to:
    • re-structure Section 17.0 (Hazard Lands) to include new sub-sections for Geotechnical, Flood, Wildfire and Radon Gas hazards;
    • introduce new policies for Geotechnical & Flood hazards at Section 17.0 (i.e. support for a Soil Deposition & Removal Bylaw, Terms of Reference for Geotechnical Reports, restrictions on suites, accessory dwellings and subdivision, etc.); and
    • introduce a new Schedule ‘D’ (Hazard Lands – Soil) utilising new mapping from the Greater West Bench Geotechnical Review (2021); and
    • introduce a new Schedule ‘G’ (Hazard Lands – Flooding) utilising OBWB floodplain mapping (2020)
  • amend the Electoral Area ‘F’ Zoning Bylaw No. 2461, 2008, to:
    • introduce a minimum parcel size for subdivision of 2.0 ha in the SH5 and RS5 zones that apply to properties in the Greater West Bench area; and
    • introduce a prohibition on the development of new swimming pools, ponds, and water features within the SH5 & SH6 Zones.

Additional information, including copies of Draft Amendment Bylaw Nos. 2790.04 and 2461.21 can be accessed below.

Amendment Bylaw Status

Draft DocumentsPublic ConsultationRegional District Board Consideration

Draft Amendment Bylaw:

Amendment Bylaw 2790.04

(version - 2021-10-07)

Amendment Bylaw 2461.21

(Alternate Version - 2022-04-13)

 

Other Materials:

West Bench / Sage Mesa Area Geological Hazards Review

Prepared by Klohn Leonoff Limited 

(version August 10, 1992)

 

Greater West Bench Geotechnical Review

Prepared by Ecora and Clarke Geoscience Ltd

(version December 22, 2021)

 

Comparison Table - Hazard Land Objectives & Policies
(2022-03-03)

 

File Note: Okanagan Zoning Bylaw No. 2800
(2022-04-13)

 

Superseded Versions:

Amendment Bylaw 2461.21

(version - 2021-10-07)

Amendment Bylaw 2461.21

(version - 2021-12-10)

Public Hearing:

Date: Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Location: https://rdos.webex.com

Meeting number: 2487 224 9672

Password: RD@S

Toll Free: 1-833-311-4101

Notice of Public Hearing

Webex Instructions

Feedback Form

Instructions on participating in and attending 
electronic public hearings can be viewed here: 
Public Hearings

 

Public Information Meeting:

Date: Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Notice of Meeting

Video: Recording of Meeting

PowerPoint Presentation (Consultants)

PowerPoint Presentation (RDOS staff)

 

Advisory Planning Commission (APC):

Date: Monday November 22, 2021

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Agenda

Administrative Report

Minutes (2021-11-22)

Planning & Development Committee

Administrative Report

PowerPoint Presentation

Video: https://youtu.be/dAOhEhXYxIQ?t=2334

Minutes (2021-10-07)

 

Administrative Report

Minutes (2021-10-21)

 

Bylaw Introduction (1st & 2nd reading):

Administrative Report

Amendment Bylaw 2790.04

Amendment Bylaw 2461.21

Representations

Minutes (2022-03-03)

 

Public Hearing:

Report

File Note
File Note

Representations

PowerPoint Presentation

 

3rd Reading:

Administrative Report

Amendment Bylaw No. 2461.21

Amendment Bylaw No. 2790.04

Representations

Minutes (2022-05-05)

 

Adoption:

Administrative Report

Amendment Bylaw No. 2461.21

Amendment Bylaw No. 2790.04

Minutes (2022-05-19)

Contact us!

Christopher Garrish
Planning Manager
cgarrish@rdos.bc.ca