In 2013, a new Official Community Plan Bylaw (No.2603) was adopted for Electoral Area "D" and included a key objective of “enhance[ing] the vibrancy and attractiveness of Okanagan Falls by supporting a variety of revitalization and beautification programs.”  The Plan also supports concentrating new residential development into the community to create a compact urban form and focuses on waterfront parks and enhanced pedestrian circulation.

In early 2014, the RDOS commissioned a process to develop a design-focused economic revitalization plan and implementation strategy for Okanagan Falls Town Centre.  The objective of this project is to reverse the fortunes of Ok Falls through public and private investments and partnerships, streetscape improvements and quality urban design to make the town centre an enticing place to live, work and play for local residents and visitors.

At its meeting of November 16, 2017, the Planning and Development (P&D) Committee of the Regional District Board resolved to accept the Okanagan Falls Town Centre Plan as a guiding document for future amendments to the Electoral Area "D" Official Community Plan (OCP) and Zoning Bylaws.

Following the direction provided by the P&D Committee of the Regional District Board at its meeting of November 17, 2017, the Regional District is approaching the incorporation of the recommendations of the Okanagan Falls Town Centre Plan in three (3) phases.

The first phase involved amendments to the Electoral Area "D" OCP Bylaw No. 2603, 2013, in order to introduce a new "Town Centre (TC)" designation and “Okanagan Falls Town Centre Development Permit Area” designation.  Phase 1 amendments to the OCP Bylaw were adopted on August 2, 2018 (see below for documentation related to this Phase).

The second phase involved amendments to the Electoral Area "D" Zoning Bylaw No. 2455, 2008, in order to introduce a new "Okanagan Falls Town Centre (OFTC) Zone" and to amend the title of the current C4 Zone to "Okanagan Falls Town Centre Transition".  Phase 2 amendments to the Zoning Bylaw were adopted on February 7, 2019 (see below for documentation related to this Phase).

The third phase, which involves the section of Highway 97 south of Main Street, was originally scheduled to occur in 2019 but was commenced in early 2021 (see below for the status of this Phase as well as related documentation).

NOTE: Due to current restrictions on public meetings related to the on-going provincial health emergency (Covid-19), the Regional District will not be scheduling an in-person public meeting related to these proposed amendments.  Staff will, however, be available for in-person meetings with individual property owners at the Regional District’s main office (101 Martin Street, Penticton) or Economic Development Office (5350 9^th Avenue, OK Falls).  Please use the contact details below to schedule an appointment.

The purpose of the Okanagan Falls Town Centre Plan is to provide direction and guidance for the future development of Okanagan Falls Town Centre and was completed over three phases between 2014 and 2017.

PHASE 1

Phase 1 was completed in June 2014, and analyzed the current situation and engaged the public in exploring opportunities to revitalize the Ok Falls town centre.

Phase 1 - Summary Report - June, 2014

PHASE 2

Phase 2 was completed in December 2015, and included considerable consultation with the public including a questionnaire and two day design charrette and resulted in a Concept Plan (outlining  proposed public corridors through the private lands and the amount of new commercial development proposed).

At its meeting of April 28, 2016, the Regional District Board accepted the Phase 2 - Okanagan Falls Revitalisation Visions Exercise Report (December 2015), as a guide for future policy planning for the community. 

PHASE 3

The Phase 3 project includes a revision of concepts into policies, planning goals and Development Permit guidelines that could be adopted into the Electoral Area "D" Official Community Plan Bylaw.

Draft Phase 3 Report - Okanagan Falls Town Centre Plan (version - September 2017)