Next steps will confirm design for Lake-to-Lake Bike Route
Following Council’s decision yesterday to amend the Official Community Plan to include a map of the recommended location for the Lake-to-Lake All Ages and Abilities Bike Route, the City is outlining what residents and businesses can expect next in the process.
“With this decision, Council has given staff the mandate needed to complete the detailed design of the route,” said Penticton Mayor, John Vassilaki. “In this next phase, the City can formally consider all of the feedback gathered through the engagement process and the public hearing and work with residents and businesses to mitigate the issues and realize the vision for the route.”
Through the recent public hearing and year-long engagement process, the City has identified a number of issues to address in the detailed design of the route. In this next phase, the City will work with property owners to address concerns about safety, security, parking, traffic, access and site specific impacts as well as identify opportunities for amenities, signage and education. Efforts will start at the north end of the route with the downtown section and work south.
“Council really sees this route as an investment in the future of transportation in the city,” said Mayor Vassilaki. “With this route, current and future generations will have an affordable, safe and environmental way to access commercial centres and popular destinations across our city. I encourage all properties along the route to see the opportunities the route can create and to participate in developing the detailed plan.”
Staff intend to return to Council with an update on the work to complete the detailed design in the new year. With a formal decision about the location of the route, staff are also able to make application for grants that are available from provincial and federal governments while the detailed design of the route is completed.
“Once the detailed design is complete, Council will have a further opportunity to consider the cost and plan for this route, how it can be funded and how to proceed,” said Mayor Vassilaki.
