“I’ll be voting in favour of it going to public hearing,” stated mayor John Vassilaki, the last of the elected officials to speak. “But, with great reservations.”
In 2019, council directed staff to work with the community to identify the best location for a AAA cycling route through Penticton and connecting Skaha and Okanagan Lakes.
The Lake-to-Lake All Ages and Abilities Bicycle Route Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 2020-48 was presented to council Tuesday afternoon.
The topic is of major importance to the community, given it was first identified in 2012, a few councils ago, and has undergone a great deal of scrutiny.
The document took up 67 pages of Tuesday’s council agenda.
The resulting presentation and discussion lasted nearly an hour –- the final 12 minutes dedicated to the thoughts of council.
The staff recommendation is to replace Map 2: Transportation Network with an updated version that includes the location of the Lake-to-Lake AAA Bicycle Route, including Section 1 – South Main Street, Section 2 – Atkinson Street, Section 3 – Fairview Road and Section 4 – Martin Street.
Council agreed, and gave first reading unanimous approval, although the 5-0 vote didn’t necessarily indicate council fully approves.
“This has been a very long process. I go back almost 30 years making the motion to put the first bicycle path in Penticton,” stated councillor Katie Robinson, indicating she does have concern with section 4 along Martin Street. “I am fully committed to getting a lake-to-lake route. But it is not without its challenges, especially in these economic times, and that certainly is going to be taken into consideration by myself when dealing with it.
"This is a very large step in what could be a real game-changer for our community.”
Robinson’s thoughts were echoed by many on council.
“Councillor Robinson made a comment about it going to be a game changer in the community. I think it’s going to be a larger game-changer to those folks who are going to be affected by this route,” added mayor Vassilaki. “Whether it’s business or residential area, they’re going to lose a lot of the parking in front of their premises. And we're talking about a project that I believe is going to be in excess of $10 million – not the $8 million that’s in the report. Everything goes over budget 99% of the time. We’ve seen it here in this city time after time after time.
“I have huge reservations, but I'll support the motion so that people don’t think, especially the cyclists, that we’re not fair and not giving them further opportunity to put their thoughts forward. Same thing for those opposing it. So I’ll vote in favour of it going to a public hearing.”
Councillor Julius Bloomfield agreed.
“This deserves to go to a public hearing. I think we need to have that public hearing,” he said. “To deny that at this stage would be a terrible mistake.”
The project is priced out at just over $8 million, which includes more than $5.8 million for the work, and a $1.5 million contingency fund.
The work includes the cost to remove and replace line markings, add green paint at important crossing points, add barriers and road signage, modify intersections, curbs and gutters at various locations, wayfinding signage and bike counters
“I support it going forward and know the desire, but you need to have the reality of investigation to find out important things, like safety. We’ve got complicated intersections in this plan. Two-way cycling plans bring to mind Ironman, and it was a nightmare. These are busy streets that have been suggested,” stated councillor Judy Sentes.
“In terms of cost, need we say again, we’re in COVID. We’ve had to make some really challenging and difficult decision to cut back on services that in my opinion at this time I would rather see them continue with the appropriate staff as opposed to creating – what I’m very cautious about saying, $8 million – because I strongly suspect it’s going to be much more than that.”
A public hearing will take place Nov.16 at 7:30 pm at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre.
You can watch the entire discussion inside council chambers by clicking here.
More detail is available at www.shapeyourcityPenticton.ca.
