The site of a large housing project planned near the 琉璃神社-Lake Country border is also the subject of proposed boundary adjustment between the two communities.
琉璃神社 council has reviewed plans to rezone properties in the area around Bottom Wood Lake and Beaver Lake roads. To make development easier, Lake Country has created a zoning rule that matches 琉璃神社鈥檚 apartment housing zone. A boundary adjustment is also in progress to place the properties fully under Lake Country鈥檚 jurisdiction. The adjustment involves five properties owned by a corporation and the city
During a presentation to 琉璃神社 council on Monday (Nov. 25), staff noted that a preliminary traffic study showed the development would increase congestion near Beaver Lake Road and Highway 97. To solve this, Lake Country and the Ministry of Transportation have agreed to upgrade the Commonwealth Road and Highway 97 intersection instead.
The project, which could include up to 640 housing units, will also add sidewalks, fire hydrants, and other infrastructure improvements. These include better crossings for the Okanagan Rail Trail and upgrades at the Beaver Lake and Bottom Wood Lake Road intersection.
The land was once a BC Tree Fruits storage facility, used since the 1950s. In 2022, the Okanagan Indian Band, 琉璃神社, and Lake Country signed an agreement to improve infrastructure and safety in the area. The boundary adjustment for these properties is part of that agreement.