Post by Administrator on Feb 19, 2006 14:32:31 GMT -5
- On Westside / Westbank Amalgamation:
Sharon Shepherd sits on the Westside Governance Committee as a voice of Kelowna on this issue. In a nut shell she is in full support of amalgamation with Kelowna although there are no formal talks at present. Westbank with a population of close to 40,000 bundled would Kelowna's 110,000 would give a big artificial boast in terms of population perception. Whether this would be a good idea or not will be discussed further among all parties with the chances of a referendum, for public input, coming on both sides around spring 2007.
- On Future City Sustainability:
Sharon Shepherd recently spoke at a Kelowna Chamber of Commerce luncheon on the future of our city's growth. Sharon shared a vision of sustainable growth with a focus on densification of Kelowna's current 4 town centers ( downtown, Rutland, Pandosy/Mission, and Orchard Park ) as a effort to curtail our out-of-control city sprawl. She also re-enforced the need for an effort to control traffic congestion. With various major projects currently underway and future ones coming down the pipeline this challenge will be answered and balanced with a strategic transit plan focused around the town centers. Sharon also wants to bring Kelowna along with the worldwide effort of energy smart methods and green construction in an attempt to mitigate some of the environmental impacts of a booming city.
Sharon Shepherd sits on the Westside Governance Committee as a voice of Kelowna on this issue. In a nut shell she is in full support of amalgamation with Kelowna although there are no formal talks at present. Westbank with a population of close to 40,000 bundled would Kelowna's 110,000 would give a big artificial boast in terms of population perception. Whether this would be a good idea or not will be discussed further among all parties with the chances of a referendum, for public input, coming on both sides around spring 2007.
- On Future City Sustainability:
Sharon Shepherd recently spoke at a Kelowna Chamber of Commerce luncheon on the future of our city's growth. Sharon shared a vision of sustainable growth with a focus on densification of Kelowna's current 4 town centers ( downtown, Rutland, Pandosy/Mission, and Orchard Park ) as a effort to curtail our out-of-control city sprawl. She also re-enforced the need for an effort to control traffic congestion. With various major projects currently underway and future ones coming down the pipeline this challenge will be answered and balanced with a strategic transit plan focused around the town centers. Sharon also wants to bring Kelowna along with the worldwide effort of energy smart methods and green construction in an attempt to mitigate some of the environmental impacts of a booming city.