Hall Road Neighbourhood

By Don Plant

Hall Road Neighbourhood Association

With fire season upon us, many in the Hall Road area are wondering how to evacuate if a wildfire in Mission Creek Park threatens the neighbourhood.

Drought conditions in the Interior are intensifying, prompting emergency officials to encourage people to prepare for a sudden departure in case fire breaks out nearby. For those living near the forested park, that means more than packing grab-and-go bags and having home insurance. They also need to plan how to hightail it out of here in a hurry.

With only two driving routes to choose from (Bewlay Road and KLO Road), options are limited. Complicating matters is the Mission Creek Landing care home near the end of Hall. If residents there are evacuated, numerous emergency vehicles could clog the road and effectively block people living beyond the care home on Woodland Crescent and Hall.

Vanessa Bell and I have asked the Kelowna Fire Dept. and City officials to devise an evacuation plan for the neighbourhood. Jason Twamley, fire mitigation specialist with the KFD, says the City has a regional evacuation plan. It’s not a door-to-door or street-by-street blueprint because emergencies are dynamic and decisions must be made in real time.

Instead, he said, the City uses a decision-making strategy based on current conditions like traffic, time of day and other factors. That’s why residents must be ready to move quickly when they need to.

“Hall Road is definitely on our radar,” Twamley said. “If a fire broke out in Mission Creek Park, it would be a high-priority area for response. A lot of services would be put in the Hall Road area. “

City emergency officials say the care-home operators are responsible for their own evacuation plan and can act early during an evacuation alert to relocate their residents if necessary. The City is aware of the site and will factor it into the evacuation plan. They understand why nearby residents are concerned but say it’s unlikely the care home will significantly impede their ability to evacuate safely, Twamley said.

The City is collaborating with the regional district to enhance its evacuation plan by using better traffic data. The information should shorten the estimated time it takes to evacuate the neighbourhood and help establish where the trigger points are, he said.

Meanwhile, emergency officials urge Hall Roaders to prepare for a sudden departure.

“It is important for residents to know their hazards, make their plan, stay informed and have their supplies ready,” Twamley said. He recommends residents:

• Visit cordemergency.ca and sign up for alerts to receive real-time evacuation notices.
• Keep a grab-and-go bag ready with essentials like medications, ID, important documents, clothes, snacks and water.
• Make sure your vehicle is fueled and parked facing the road for a quick departure.
• Determine what your exit route will be if an emergency happens.
• FireSmart your property to reduce the risk of ignition and slow the spread of wildfire.

You might need extra time driving to your destination starting Monday, April 14. Construction of the new KLO bridge and roundabout starts next week and traffic may stop temporarily as flaggers wave cars and cyclists through a single lane in alternating directions. For more info, visit Castanet at https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/543605/Work-set-to-begin-next-week-on-replacement-of-KLO-Bridge-new-roundabout

Mark your calendar for our annual general meeting at East Kelowna Hall – 7PM Monday May 12th. We want to hear from you!

You may have noticed the stakes, traffic cones and red paint along O’Reilly Road and Johnson Avenue.

Dig It Contracting has begun an eight-week construction project to extend underground 3-phase power lines to the new care home at Mission Creek Landing at 3081 Hall Rd. The new infrastructure will power the elevators and other functions in the three-storey building.

Crews will dig trenches in phases to install the FortisBC line from the care home to the community well at Dunsmuir Road and O’Reilly, where 3-phase power currently ends. They’ll excavate along the east side of Hall, the northeast (park) side of Johnson, the north side of O’Reilly and both sides of the west end of Dunsmuir.

The contractor expects to complete the work by mid-November. Traffic flaggers will delay vehicles and set up single-lane alternating traffic for brief periods at different parts of the route as workers excavate open ditches. They’ll lay down road plates when needed to get traffic across the ditch line.

Owners of the affected properties have been notified. Crews will dig city-owned property near the curb in front of the homes. If they have to remove any sections of grass, asphalt, concrete or other hard surfaces, they’ll be restored to their previous condition or better.

Blaine Roshinsky is supervising the project. If you need more information, email info@digitcontracting.ca or call 250-862-7738.

June 5, 2024

Poll: At the May 2023 neighbourhood meeting, residents were invited to write down concerns, ideas, or thoughts about the neighbourhood on post-it-notes. These were reviewed and distilled down to 11 broad topics: Parking and traffic, sewer, crime, fire safety, events, local business, community development (area structure plan), networking with City and other neighbourhoods, wildlife conservation, social clubs, and history. A website poll will go live soon to learn what the priorities are for the neighbourhood. As a group, we must represent what the neighbourhood is seeking. The poll results will inform the board on what issues need priority. Results from the poll will be discussed at the next meeting. The poll can be found at hallroad.ca/polls.

Traffic: At the 2024 AGM, the board heard that traffic appears to be the biggest concern for attendees. The solution here is complex and opinions are mixed about the best path forward. The City has suspended a subsequent review of traffic-mitigation measures in the hood for the next five years following residents turning down the City’s suggestions. The first action item to address this is to reach out to the City to see how to reinvigorate and restart this conversation.

Fire Smart: The City held a FireSmart workshop Wednesday, June 12th 2024. The HRNA will look at how to roll out these programs into the neighbourhood.

Kelowna Affiliation Agreement: The City rolled out a new program in 2024 to support neighbourhoods in Kelowna. The HRNA opted not to participate in the program’s first intake due to concerns about the City’s requirements for maintaining membership. We will revisit this program once we collect feedback from other Neighbourhood Associations.

KLO bridge upgrade: The bridge over Mission Creek is nearing its end of useful life and so the City is planning on replacing it with a new bridge, parking lot, roundabout, and pedestrian underpass. The City has provided a rough schedule for the start of work. Construction of the bridge and roundabout is tentatively scheduled for 2025 with early works commencing in 2024. The plan does not include the realignment of the roundabout with Hall Road at KLO.

Next meeting date – July 10.

Clear your calendar on May 16. Your neighbourhood association is hosting its first annual general meeting, and we want you to be there so you have a say in our neighbourhood’s future.

The Hall Road Neighbourhood Association has spent its first year setting up a governance structure, establishing the website hallroad.ca, building relationships with City Hall and staying on top of the issues that affect us all in this beautiful area. The association’s 10 directors were elected for a one-year term that’s coming to a close. We’re holding an election at East Kelowna Hall to choose a new committee that will operate for two years.

The new committee will focus more on issues like the sewer line, transportation, wildlife and development in the Hall Road area. Anyone can be nominated, but you have to be an association member to nominate someone, stand as a candidate or vote.

For a $20 membership, the Hall Road committee of volunteers can pay for photocopying, maintain the interactive website hallroad.ca and advocate for the neighbourhood. Your $20 dues (e-transfer treasurer@hallroad.ca) allow us to function and fill you in on what’s going on.

We’ll deliver a two-sided flyer with nomination forms to your mailbox in the coming weeks. You can fill in the forms to nominate candidates for any positions and drop them off at 3495 Hall Road by May 15 — the day before the election and annual general meeting. We’ll formalize the nominations at the AGM and hold votes by hand for each of the executive positions:

• President: leader of the board who establishes the agenda; provides stability, operational skills and direction.
• Vice-president: works under the president and as alternate; prepares and presents reports; completes tasks the president designates.
• Treasurer: has strong working knowledge of accounting; prepares financial reports for each meeting; manages public funds.
• Secretary: looks after administration and communications; records, documents and distributes meeting minutes.
• Board members: attend meetings regularly; join in board discussions; vote on board matters; make motions.

Once the voting’s done, we’ll end the AGM and discuss neighbourhood issues and other matters. You can get to know your neighbours and chat with the committee members.

The AGM and election are in East Kelowna Hall at 7 p.m. Thurs., May 16. To buy your membership, send an e-transfer for $20 to treasurer@hallroad.ca. Please include your address in the comments box. Your membership will be valid until the next AGM in May, 2025. And while you’re at it, please visit hallroad.ca and sign up for the electronic newsletter with your email.

If you’ve already bought a membership, thank-you. If you pass on becoming a member, you can’t vote at the AGM but you’re welcome. We’d like to hear from you. Thanks, and see you there!

Vanessa Bell, Ken Buhler, David Bush, Craig Gronsdahl, Bruce Hedmann, Steve Losso, Chelsi Matkovich, Don Plant, Benjamin Rhebergen, John Wagner

We all know how special the Hall Road area is. Residents sitting on the new Hall Road Neighbourhood Association (HRNA) are working hard to keep it that way. Since last May, the board of directors has met every month to build the interactive website hallroad.ca, kept track of neighbourhood issues, created a voice to city council and organized a party in Johnson Road Park.

Directors have spent much of our first year developing the structure and governance of an official neighbourhood association. There’s more to do in 2024 and beyond. We’re asking you to consider buying a membership so the association can advocate for the neighbourhood and make it even better. For $20, you show us your trust as volunteer representatives and help us budget for rent at East Kelowna Hall, registration and bank fees, social gatherings, surveys and other expenses.

As volunteers, none of us benefits monetarily. Without a revenue source, we can only do so much. Please send an e-transfer to treasurer@hallroad.ca to purchase your membership, valid until May 2025. Your $20 allow us to operate and fill you in on what’s going on.

We invite all residents of the Hall Road area to East Kelowna Hall for the AGM on Thursday, May 16 at 7 p.m. Everyone can participate, but only those who join the HRNA with a paid membership can vote for candidates to sit on the next board of directors, who will serve for two years. All candidates must be members.

Our inaugural board’s mandate expires at the AGM, so members will nominate candidates and elect new and incumbent directors at the meeting. We encourage you to pay your dues beforehand so you can vote.

Everyone will hear about what we’ve been up to this year. You can meet your neighbours, participate in a discussion and exchange ideas.

Your neighbours thank you for engaging in local democracy.

Gratefully,

HRNA directors Vanessa Bell, Ken Buhler, David Bush, Craig Gronsdahl, Bruce Hedmann, Steve Losso, Chelsi Matkovich, Don Plant, Ben Rhebergen and John Wagner

Howdy Neighbours. 

Chelsi here from your Hall Road Neighbourhood Association (HRNA). I’ve noticed a bunch of neighbours supporting each other on the Facebook page regarding the recent car-hopping incidents in the Hall Road area. Car hopping involves thieves entering unlocked vehicles or smashing windows to steal valuables. It can cause significant damage and emotional distress to victims. 

I’m reassured and grateful to live in a neighbourhood that has each other’s backs like this! I wanted to include a post here on our webpage (hallroad.ca) for folks who aren’t on Facebook, and to provide additional information. 

Below are tips that come directly from the City of Kelowna’s Community Safety webpage. The online-reporting feature is particularly helpful to crack down on car hopping.  

This link (https://ocre-sielc.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/kelowna/en) takes you to the RCMP’s online-reporting form. If you don’t want to use this, you can call the non-emergency phone number 250-762-3300.

Prevention tips: 

• Lock it up: Always ensure your doors and windows are locked, even for brief stops. 
• Park smart: Choose well-lit areas with security cameras, such as garages, driveways, or designated parking lots. Avoid isolated streets or dimly lit areas. 
• Remove valuables: Never leave items like purses, wallets, electronics, or documents visible in your car. Take them with you or lock them in the trunk. 
• Consider security systems: Installing a car alarm or security system can deter potential thieves. 
• Report suspicious activity: If you witness suspicious activity around vehicles, don’t hesitate to report it to the police immediately. Your vigilance can help prevent crimes. 

Remember: By taking these simple precautions, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of car hopping.  

Members of the Hall Road Neighbourhood Association invited Rod MacLean, the City’s utility planning manager, to meet with us earlier this month. We wanted to understand the impact of the new sewer line that connects the care home (Mission Creek Landing) to the main trunk line at the KLO bridge, and how it ties into the latest plan for the bridge itself.

Rod was helpful and as forthcoming as he could be. Once the private-construction contract of the sewer is complete, the City will own and operate the facility. If your property is located along the new care-home sewer line buried along Hall and Wildwood roads and it has a service-connection point installed at your property line, here are a few highlights:

• There’s no immediate obligation to connect your property to the sewer line installed by Mission Creek Landing just because it’s in front of your house. Keeping your septic field will not cost you extra.
• The new sewer line has the capacity to accommodate all properties in the Hall Road Neighbourhood. More lines must be built before other residents of the neighbourhood can hook up.
• Today, the base fee for the right to hook up to the new sewer line is $7,800, payable to the City. This rate increases annually and will rise to $9,000 in 2025.
• Other improvements, like running pipe from your house to the sewer line and installing a private lift pump if needed, will cost the homeowner extra. In general, houses lower than the road and sewer line will require a private pump to move the sewage uphill. Properties that are uphill from the sewer line can generally rely on gravity. These additional costs vary by property. We’ve heard they could amount to as much as $17,000 – $20,000. This is a conservative, high-level estimate. Rod was uncertain.
• All current zoning remains. Homeowners who connect to the new sewer line cannot subdivide or develop their properties based on this upgrade. Future zoning changes will only be considered once a formal neighbourhood plan is submitted and approved by Council with input from Hall Road residents.

About 60 properties will soon be eligible to connect to the new sewer. The City can’t schedule when the entire Hall Road area will get sewer service because the City relies on grant funding to complete the improvements. Construction of future sewer lines will be determined at a later date.

The KLO bridge is planned for replacement, potentially in 2026 or 2027. The City’s current plan is to include construction of a roundabout with connections to Hall, KLO and Spiers roads on the east side of Mission Creek — a project that will happen as part of the new bridge works.

The City will continue to apply for grant funding to build new sewer infrastructure as opportunities become available. It’s unlikely all parts of the Hall Road area will receive sewer service at the same time. Future sewer construction will be piecemeal because neighbourhoods are no longer independently funded. Those sub-areas of the Hall Road neighbourhood closest to the newly-built sewer line will get priority for future construction phases.

The current $7,800 hookup fee applies to all new sewer connections across Kelowna. The City is pooling the revenue collected from hook-up fees in its sewer-infrastructure reserve for future cash to secure grant funding from senior levels of government. Together with grant funding, the City spends this reserve on expanding sewer projects. The reserve allows all future connections to be built at a set price for homeowners, as outlined in the new Sewerage System User Bylaw No. 3480.

Once everyone has sewer service in the Hall Road area, the sewage from 90 per cent of the properties — even those on Wildwood — will flow to the new sewer lift-station built at Dunsmuir and Hall. The station will then pump the wastewater uphill and along the trunk line at the KLO bridge.

We’ll provide more information as it becomes available on our website hallroad.ca. To learn more about the City’s Sewer Connection Area Prioritization bylaw, visit https://apps.kelowna.ca/CityPage/Docs/PDFs/Bylaws/Sewer%20Connection%20Area%20Prioritization%20Bylaw%2012343.pdf.

The website is up! The forum is ready for discussion! Our first newsletter has been sent out! The neighbourhood’s first event is scheduled! Residents are signing up! See you all on Sunday!