Kal Beach (Vernon Matters Staff photo)

By Pete McIntyre

Kal Beach

Beach upgrades still in plans despite changes for North Kal committee

Jan 29, 2024 | 5:00 AM

A committee looking into improvements for the Kal Beach area in Coldstream could become part of a larger process, but the mayor says the project won’t be abandoned.

Coldstream council is giving support to forming a long-range planning committee in order to meet new provincial housing requirements, and the North Kalamalka neighbourhood planning committee would become part of that.

That committee, formerly called the Head of the Lake plan, was formed last year to develop a master plan for Kal Beach and the non-residential lands surrounding that part of Kalamalka Lake between the Kalavista boat launch and Pumphouse Beach.

But that was before the province introduced bills directing changes to short-term rentals and housing development which made it necessary for B.C. communities to conduct reviews of their zoning bylaws and official community plans.

Coldstream Mayor Ruth Hoyte said making the North Kal committee part of the larger process does not mean changes to Kal Beach will no longer be pursued.

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“Not at all,” Hoyte told Vernon Matters. “As we begin the process of reviewing our OCP and zoning by-laws, to accommodate the recent provincial housing legislation, the North Kalamalka planning committee will be integrated into that process. Coldstream council may opt to move forward some elements of the plan for the north end of Kalamalka Lake, such as fence removal, crosswalk and traffic concerns,” Hoyte said.

The crosswalk connecting the parking lot on Husband Road to the beach for pedestrians has long been a safety and traffic congestion issue in the summer.

Hoyte said council has decided to dissolve its advisory planning committee.

“We felt it moot at this point, as this committee’s purpose has been rendered useless due to the new provincial housing regulations under Bill 44. Council will consider ad hoc committees as needed,” Hoyte commented.

The mayor added council would like to see public input on the North Kal plan, and will provide opportunities for that during the official community plan update and review.

The first meeting of the long-range planning committee is set for Feb. 20.