By Tom Mark

Fees Waived For Nighthawk Wildfire Victims

Oct 4, 2017 | 11:50 AM

People who lost their homes on Nighthawk Road in Lake Country in the Okanagan Centre fire are getting a break from the District.

Council Tuesday night agreed to waive fees and most permits for things like road access and water connections.

Councillor Blair Ireland says there’s no need for that red tape.

“They’ve done all those things before. They’ve gotten their water connection. They’ve gotten an access permit to their driveway. All those things. Demolition permit. I mean their house has already been demolished.”

Ireland says they don’t need another stressor after losing everything.

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“Our job is to be understanding of those things and unfortunately in our day and age we have rules. What we’re essentially doing is telling people that these rules don’t have to be followed in this case.”

Ireland says they will have to get a building permit, but that process will be sped up.

“The process will be sped up, including in the direction to the staff to help these people work through these things and get it as fast tracked as possible.”

Ireland says the cost of the building permit should be covered through insurance.

by Tom Mark