Kelowna council to audit park spending following developer concerns
The City of Kelowna is facing scrutiny over its park spending following requests from the Urban Development Institute (UDI) Okanagan for an audit. During a council meeting on August 17, city officials discussed concerns raised by the UDI regarding whether Park Development Community Amenity Charges (DCCs) are being utilized appropriately under provincial legislation.
The UDI has also questioned whether newly developed parks should be more basic in nature and suggested a review of the city’s target of 2.2 hectares of active parkland per 1,000 people. Currently, residential developers pay a DCC fee of $5,108 per unit or lot to fund these developments.
As part of the scrutiny, an audit will be conducted on DeHart Park, a project that cost the city $8.6 million and opened last May. The audit will examine detailed designs, construction cost estimates, invoicing, and final closeout. Additionally, city staff will clarify which specific items were funded by Park Development DCCs versus other sources.
Entities
City of Kelowna · DeHart Park · Melanie Steppuhn · Tom Dyas · Urban Development Institute Okanagan
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] DCC fees, including the Park Development DCC, were reduced by 25 percent in June. westknews.com · kelownacapnews.com · lakecountrycalendar.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Melanie Steppuhn, manager of parks planning and design, stated that UDI Okanagan raised concerns regarding park development. westknews.com · kelownacapnews.com · lakecountrycalendar.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Urban Development Institute (UDI) Okanagan has requested an audit of the City of Kelowna’s park spending. westknews.com · kelownacapnews.com · lakecountrycalendar.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] There are concerns regarding whether Park Development Community Amenity Charges (DCCs) are being spent appropriately under provincial legislation. westknews.com · kelownacapnews.com · lakecountrycalendar.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The current Park Development DCC fee for residential developments is $5,108 per unit or lot. westknews.com · kelownacapnews.com · lakecountrycalendar.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The City of Kelowna invested $8.6 million into DeHart Park, which opened last May. westknews.com · kelownacapnews.com · lakecountrycalendar.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The requested audit of DeHart Park will examine detailed designs, construction cost estimates, invoicing, and final closeout. westknews.com · kelownacapnews.com · lakecountrycalendar.com