Castanet – Mar 30, 2026 / 9:58 am | Story: 606178
The public hearing regarding the Kelowna Springs Golf Course on March 10, 2026, presented a litany of misrepresentations aimed at justifying the project.
The information provided was a combination of selective data and misinformation, revealing a long-term plan to industrialize this sensitive area without due care for the public interest. The following are some key points.
1.Misleading zoning context:City staff claimed Kelowna Springs Golf Course is surrounded by a “mixture” of industrial and agricultural uses. In reality, 85% of the golf course is surrounded by Agricultural Land Reserve land. Only 10% touches industrial land.
2. The Gateway “fallacy”: Staff argued the site is in the Gateway growth district. The 2040 OCP describes the Gateway as the airport, UBCO and the surrounding industrial lands. KSGC is east of Reid’s Corner and 3.5 km south of the airport. Staff put up a slide (Objective 6.4) that differentiates the Gateway area from Reids Corner, which indicates the KSGC is not in the Gateway area.
3. Non-existent infrastructure: Staff cited access to KSGC via Hereron Road. Hereron Road is an undeveloped right-of-way on property not owned by the developer, which does not link to KSGC.
4. Inconsistent land evaluation: While Kelowna has 522 hectares of vacant industrial land representing 36 to 56 years supply, staff dismissed some of the 522 hectares due to limited access, challenging topography and environmental constraints – the exact same constraints that plague the KSGC site.
5. Shifting liability to taxpayers: The plan to manage flooding via detention ponds involves turning over those assets to the city. That will move the long-term liability and costs for flood damage from the developer to the residents of Kelowna.
6. Selective policy application: Staff cited the 2022 Official Community Plan to support industrial development but ignored Objective 14.4, which mandates the protection of environmentally sensitive areas.
7. Undervalued land acquisition: The developer purchased KSGC for approximately $285,000 per acre. By up-zoning half of KSGC to industrial, which is valued at roughly $2 million per acre, city council will be effectively handing the developer a $100 million windfall without requiring any immediate site improvements.
8. Predetermined outcomes: Statements from the former owner suggest a land-exchange deal was proposed by council long before the public hearing, indicating the decision to industrialize was made behind closed doors.
9. Lack of critical studies: Both staff and the developer confirmed essential geotechnical, hydrological and environmental studies have not been completed. Voting to approve the land-use change without that data is an abdication of professional due diligence.
10. Violation of B.C.’s Community Charter: Section 25 (1) of B.C.’s Community Charter prohibits a council from providing a benefit or advantage to a business. By swapping land of unequal value – confirmed by an independent appraisal but denied by the city manager without a formal valuation document – the city will provide a massive gift of public equity to a private entity.
Mayor Tom Dyas and the majority of city councillors prioritized the development community over environmental stewardship and the financial safety of Kelowna residents.
By moving forward without completed critical studies and transparent valuations, council breached its oath of integrity and accountability.
The rezoning should not proceed. The city must prioritize its role as a steward of the public interest, not a facilitator for private profit.
Susan Ames
