Property & Ownership
- Who is Holar Developments?
Holar Developments is managing the development and planning initiative for the Mill Site Area Plan. Holar Developments is 100% owned by Timber Investments Ltd., with the same family ownership as Tolko Industries Ltd.
- 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 Industries Ltd. is currently working with the Ministry of Environment and a third-party Environmental firm to safely decommission the site. While this work is ongoing, the planning team is pleased with the overall condition of the site given the history of industrial operations.
- How and where on the site is contamination an issue? How much remediation will be required?
The detailed site investigation has been completed and, generally, the site is in good shape given its’ 80-year industrial history. Small areas of contamination will be remediated to Provincial standards, as required.
- Is there contamination in the lake? How will the impacted areas in the lake be remediated?
A review is underway on the areas in the lake where logs were stored. Once the study is complete, we will continue to work with our Registered Professionals and the Province to determine what additional action is required.
- What is happening on the site now? When will the rest of the buildings be taken down?
Currently, portions of the property are being leased for short term commercial and industrial use. Tolko Industries Ltd. has now completed most of the site decommissioning work and the remaining buildings may be re-used as part of the future community plan and will be reassessed for their utility as heritage opportunities are considered.
Development Process
- What is the planning schedule/what is the status of the consultation?
The community consultation and planning work for the Mill Site will continue to follow alongside the City’s North End Neighbourhood Planning Process and is now expected to be completed in mid-2024.
We have completed our first round of community outreach along with a wide range of background technical studies and are now in the process of presenting concept plans for community input.- 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), providing a critical link between Kelowna’s OCP and specific land development applications for lands that have been previously developed. The ARP process enables landowners to work with City Staff, the community and Council to conduct the necessary investigations to examine the potential for development and to determine how development would best meet City objectives.
- 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 early/mid-2024.
- 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.
- What is the status of the North End Planning Process?
Phase 3 of the North End Neighbourhood Plan process (‘Neighbourhood Concepts’) kicked off this summer and residents have been invited to provide input through the City’s ‘Get Involved’ project page. To receive updates about the NEP, including engagement opportunities – be sure to follow the project page.
Getting Involved
- How can the community get involved in the Mill Site planning process?
Information about the planning and consultation process and future opportunities to engage can also be found at www.kelownamillsite.ca where you can also register to receive the latest project updates and information regarding upcoming events.
- 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.
We are Here
- What is the current status of the planning and engagement process?
Over the coming weeks, three different preliminary concept plans are being presented to the community to ‘demonstrate’ the ideas and opportunities that the community engagement and technical study work have produced. The community is not being asked to choose between the plans but to provide feedback and priorities in relation to the various ideas. Feedback generated through engagement on the concept plans will inform the next phase of the planning work – the creation of a singular plan going forward.
- What is the difference between the various concept plans?
Each of the three concept plans reflect the key priorities that were expressed to the planning team during the first round of engagement, while addressing a range of community planning objectives for residential commercial and community spaces.
This includes a strong commitment to public open space, dedication of a public walkway along the Sutherland Bay waterfront, a range of unique commercial and community spaces and a transportation network that prioritizes walkability. Elements of the property’s industrial heritage are also incorporated as part of the community space plans.
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.