Property & Ownership
- Who is Holar Developments?
Holar Developments is managing the development and planning initiative for the Mill Site property. Holar Developments is 100% owned by Timber Investments Ltd., with the same family ownership as Tolko.
- What is the history of mill operations on the Mill Site lands?
Multiple mills have occupied the Mill Site, the first was built in 1932 during the Great Depression. For over 80 years the Mill Site served Kelowna residents as a place of employment and a source of community connections, with an excellent team that produced highly-regarded, quality stud lumber for North American and export markets.
- Is the Mill Site part of the Sawmill Trust lands?
The property is not part of the Sawmill Trust lands.
- Is the BC Tree Fruits property part of the Mill Site Plan?
The BC Tree Fruits property is part of the Mill Site Area Plan. We are collaborating with the owners of this neighbouring site through the planning process.
- Is the property contaminated?
Tolko is currently working through the Ministry of Environment and a third-party Environmental firm to safely decommission the site. Through the assessment process, a small number of isolated areas were found to exceed the applicable standards for contaminants. These areas are being remediated under the supervision of the third-party professional. While this work is ongoing, the planning team is pleased with the overall condition of the site given the history of industrial operations.
- What is happening on the site now? When will the rest of the buildings be taken down?
Tolko has now completed most of the site decommissioning work. Some of the structures have been retained as future land uses and heritage opportunities are considered. Through the planning process, opportunities to reuse these structures will be more closely assessed.
Development Process
- What is an Area Redevelopment Plan?
The City of Kelowna has a hierarchical, or ‘nested’ approach to community plans, including the Official Community Plan, Sector Plans, Area Structure Plans and Area Redevelopment Plans.
Area Redevelopment Plans (ARP) are endorsed by Council and implemented as an amendment to the Official Community Plan (OCP) and other relevant bylaws and policies. The ARP provides a critical link between Kelowna’s OCP and specific land development applications for lands that have been previously developed. The ARP process enables land-owners to work with City Staff, the community and Council to conduct the necessary investigations to examine the potential for development and to determine how that development would best meet City objectives, including land use, transportation, servicing, environmental protection, hazardous conditions, form and character, parks and community resources, and heritage.
- How will the plan be developed?
The consultation and planning process will provide a range of opportunities for the community to engage with the planning team and share interests and priorities. Community input will inform the land uses that will be reflected in the Area Redevelopment Plan.
- What is the timeframe for creating the Mill Site Area Redevelopment Plan?
The community consultation and planning work for the Mill Site will follow alongside the City’s North End Neighbourhood Planning Process and is expected to be completed in late-2023.
- What comes after the Mill Site Redevelopment Plan is completed?
Following completion of the Area Redevelopment Plan, Holar will seek approval for the plan from Kelowna City Council and, if approved, Holar expects to undertake the next steps in the development process, including subdivision and site servicing. The specifics of those next steps will be determined as the process progresses.
- How does the Mill Site Redevelopment Plan relate to the North End Neighbourhood Plan?
The North End Neighbourhood Planning and the Mill Site Area Redevelopment Planning are distinct processes with similar timelines – with the City’s North End process taking the lead. The two planning processes will align through information sharing and overlapping community input opportunities. On completion, the Mill Site Area Redevelopment Plan will integrate the vision, objectives and policy direction created through the North End Neighbourhood Plan process.
Getting Involved
- How can the community get involved in the Mill Site planning process?
In January 2022, the project team will begin reaching out to invite the community to get involved with the planning process. Information about the planning and consultation process can also be found at kelownamillsite.ca where you can register to receive the latest project updates via email.
- What is the Community Liaison Committee and the Mill Site’s role on this committee?
The Community Liaison Committee (CLC) has been established by the City of Kelowna as part of the North End Neighbourhood planning process. The purpose of the CLC is to facilitate sustained information sharing and dialogue between the City and groups within the community.
They are to:
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Provide a sounding board on the clarity and content of materials developed by the City for public engagement
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Ensure diverse voices and perspectives are brought together to shape and plan for the North End,
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Engage community members who can assist the City team in connecting with and hearing from residents and groups who may have barriers or challenges to participating in general public engagement opportunities.
Holar Developments will have the opportunity to attend CLC meetings and to make presentations to the committee. For more information on the North End Neighbourhood Plan process click here.
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- How can I get more information as the process advances?
The planning team expects to provide more information on the Mill Site Area Redevelopment Plan, including information on the planning and community input opportunities, over the coming weeks. The planning team will provide project news to those who register on this site to receive project updates. Register below.
Latest Updates
Keep me Informed
From the very beginning, this project has been about community. An opportunity to connect our community, to serve our community, and to include our community.
Thank you for your interest in the Kelowna Mill Site. By filling out this form you will be added to a Newsletter where you will receive alerts & updates regarding the future on this historic Kelowna property. Emails will be reserved for project updates. You will only receive emails related to the planning process and not future marketing emails.