FAQs

Neighbourhood plans guide future development in an area, including the locations of parks and public spaces, development standards, and transportation solutions.  Neighbourhood plans also provide a link between the high-level planning found in the Official Community Plan (OCP) and the regulatory detail of a zoning bylaw.

A complete neighbourhood plan includes:

• an inventory of existing land uses, natural features, zoning, transportation networks, utility infrastructure and heritage sites;
•  a statement of development objectives and policies for the area, and their relationship to Council policy as stated in the Official Community Plan, and within other bylaws and policies that may be adopted by Council from time to time;
•  where applicable, information on the natural environment or hazardous conditions of the area including the manner in which natural site characteristics will influence development;
•  the identification of major land uses by type and density;
• the general location of transportation networks and required upgrades to accommodate vehicles, public transit, pedestrians and cyclists within the plan area, and the relationship of the proposed network to existing City facilities. Advance transportation plans should identify all vehicle, transit, pedestrian, bicycle, and trail linkages and provide a mix of trail, local, collector and arterial roads necessary to create a balanced transportation system; and, 
• the location and type of any development permit areas to be designated within the area, together with guidelines for proposed development within those development permit areas

The North End is a unique, evolving part of town. With significant development expected in the near future, it's important to plan this area holistically, with a community-led vision for the future of the neighbourhood.

A new neighbourhood plan will provide the opportunity to clarify the community’s aspirations for the neighbourhood, and answer some of the big, outstanding questions, such as: What is the future of industrial in the North End? What is the role of multi-unit residential development? Can industrial uses co-exist with residential and commercial? Is there an opportunity to expand housing options in the area?

A neighbourhood planning process will also provide the opportunity to identify the public spaces, infrastructure networks, and amenities needed to support the evolution of this area. Without a proactive neighbourhood plan in place, planning and development would be inconsistent.

The ownership group of the former Tolko Mill Site intends to redevelop their property in the near future. Following the City's lead, the Mill Site development team will also be engaging with the public for input on the future of this key waterfront location once an Area Redevelopment Plan (ARP) process gets underway.  

For more details about the Mill Site's development planning process, visit: please visit kelownamillsite.ca

The North End Neighbourhood Plan is being led by the City and will provide an overarching vision for the area. Owners of the former Tolko mill site are also undertaking a redevelopment process that explores what the future of this site might hold – as a large, waterfront site, the way it develops will undoubtedly have an impact on the future of this area and it is important for it to align with a vision for the neighbourhood as a whole.

The North End Plan will guide the Mill Site Area Plan. The two processes are complementary, but distinct and follow similar timelines. They will both be shaped by robust community engagement with final plans subject to public review and Council approval. The table below shows how the two plans relate to each other and to major City plans.

Public input, Council direction, and technical considerations are all vital inputs into the North End Plan. Additionally, existing policy documents – such as Imagine Kelowna, the 2040 Official Community Plan (OCP) and 2040 Transportation Master Plan (TMP) – will provide foundational guidance in the development of the plan.