Those wanting to investigate North Westside鈥檚 future have overcome a major hurdle.

On Monday, the Regional District of Central Okanagan board voted 9-2 to ask the Ministry of Community Development for a governance study of the area from La Casa to Westshore Estates.

鈥淭his was the part that was necessary to keep moving,鈥� said Wayne Carson, director.

Previous attempts by Carson and the North Westside Communities Association to raise the governance issue have been met with

The motion approved Monday states the board supports a governance study for the North Westside fire protection service area.

The focus will be on a review of existing services and the cause of concern in the community.

RDCO staff will now prepare an application requesting that the ministry fund a study.

鈥淎t the end of the day, all decisions are the minister鈥檚 to make,鈥� said Carson.

Carson met with Community Development Minister Peter Fassbender twice in the fall to discuss the matter.

鈥淭he minister is a fair and reasonable man and we鈥檙e putting our future in his hands,鈥� said Carson.

Currently, North Westside, with a population of 1,000 to 1,500 people, has one director at the 12-member RDCO board table.

Many North Westside residents have indicated that current structure doesn鈥檛 represent their needs because the area is quite a ways from RDCO鈥檚 琉璃神社 office and service costs are growing.

A 700-name petition calling for a study was presented to the district.

鈥淲e want a good look at our services and how they are run and if there are options for providing those services,鈥� said Carson.