Lake Country council will look at enhancing plans for an EV Charging area at the north end of Pelmewash Parkway.
It includes pulling an additional $390,000 from the Climate Action Reserve to fund the capital project.
Council was given a presentation on the project in December 2023 and approved $200,000 in base funding which included $150,000 from the reserve and $50,000 from BC Hydro.
A preliminary conceptual design of the site layout was done and an operating agreement signed with BC Hydro. A staff report going to council on Aug. 20 states the project team has identified opportunities to create an enhanced public space.
鈥淚n general, the options presented in this report represent a shift in the final product from a highway-style rest area with some basic practical functionality, to a more inviting park-like amenity for broader public use.鈥�
Staff have provided Option A ($390,000) and Option B ($140,000), with Option A including the following:
- Additional public parking (13 off-street spaces and 42 overflow spaces);
- Extended 30km/hr zone to match the west end of Oyama Road;
- Re-purposing of redundant four-lane highway to create public parking, and inclusion of a multi-use pathway connection to the Rail Trail, and the proposed and existing residences at Evans Road;
- Water service and connection point;
- 50+ Trees with irrigation, curbs and mulch areas;
- Drinking water fountain;
- Additional picnic table;
- Multi-use pathway servicing both the parking area and the local active transportation network;
- Improvements to business access;
- Provision of bus shelters.
Option B removes the trees, irrigation and water fountain saving $250,000.
The report states that 鈥済iven the heavy seasonal use of the area, construction timing for this fall is aimed at minimizing disruption and congestion while works are being completed.鈥�
BC Hydro has indicated a preference to complete its portion of the EV charger installation in the fall.
