The City of Penticton is going to some extra lengths to ensure everyone gets a chance to have their say about the latest proposals for the Okanagan Lake waterfront.
These latest options were created in the wake of public opposition to two earlier proposals, both of which would have seen the angle parking along Lakeshore Drive replaced with parallel parking and the traffic flow changed to one way. Both of the new options are much more modest, with Option 3 being basically status quo, with only necessary repair work being done.
Penticton council will receive the new options from the Waterfront Select Committee at a special council meeting on Oct. 10 at 9 a.m. It will be an open meeting, and public input will be welcome, but the main chance for the public to speak will come later in the month.
“We will take public input anytime on this. If people are here, we want to hear what they are saying,” said Mayor Dan Ashton.
All four concept plans will be on display on Oct. 16 in council chambers and at the Penticton Community Centre on Power Street from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The following day, Oct. 17, the plans will be moved to the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre and put on display from noon to 6 p.m., in preparation for a public forum in the evening. City staff will be on hand at both display sessions to answer any questions.
The public input session begins at 5 p.m., when city staff will start taking names for a speakers list. There will be a short presentation of the concepts at 6 p.m. followed by a two-hour open mike starting at 6:30 p.m. The speakers list will remain open through that period.
“This council has heard loud and clear about what people want for input opportunity on the waterfront,” said Ashton. “Council has been listening intently to what the community is saying.”