The City of Penticton is looking at extending the borders of the community by 300 acres.
City hall received a request from a interested in developing in the Upper Wiltse area, and asking the city begin the process of adding the lands.
“They are requesting that a large piece of land, 300 acres on the eastern hillside, be brought into the city boundary,” said planning manager Blake Laven, adding that it included areas of ecological sensitivity and areas used for recreation.
“The Skaha climbing bluffs extend right into the property and the property is adjacent to the Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park.”
In 2014, the city added the Upper Wiltse area plan to the official community plan, consisting of 330 acres already inside city borders (North Block) and 300 acres outside the city earmarked for annexation.
The area plan projects about 180 residential units would be possible in the land block.
Laven noted there needed to be a process for bringing land blocks into the city, that boundary extensions can have large financial implications, positive or negative, on a municipality. In this case, there is no existing infrastructure that might become a liability to the city, and because the addition was contemplated in the Upper Wiltse area plan, som of the effects have been reviewed and planned for.
According to Laven, a full review of the pros and cons will still be done, incorporating financial, environmental and social considerations.
City council voted unanimously to have staff move ahead with the process, starting with referrals to the Regional District Okanagan Similkameen, the Penticton Indian Band, FortisBC, the provincial Ministry of Transportation and the Okanagan Skaha School District.
Staff will also be developing a process and fees to amend bylaws to handle future boundary extensions.