Kelowna council has gone with a construction industry proposal in tweaking the city’s noise bylaw.
Currently, the bylaw allows noise between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., Monday to Sunday and all statutory holidays.
At its Monday (July 8) meeting, council approved restricting noise between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturdays and stat holidays, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. There is no change from Monday to Friday.
Councillor Rick Webber, who brought up the issue early this year, said he appreciated the industry feedback.
“Some of it is a little contradictory from each other, some of it seems a tad hysterical to me.”
However, he added there was a major point that resonated with him.
“It could…inadvertently increase the cost of building a house and we don’t want that, it’s already so expensive in Kelowna.”
Coun. Luke Stack said council’s choice was the right one.
“It does not disrupt our construction industry so much that they can’t get the job done.”
Having construction end at 4 p.m. on weekends and stats was a big win for Coun. Gord Lovegrove.
“They’ve (the construction industry) made the suggestion. They’re are partners in solving our affordability crisis and housing supply.”
A June 6 letter from the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Central Okanagan (CHBA-CO) to the city pointed out that construction projects have tight deadlines, and delays could impact completion dates and increase costs.
Coun. Maxine DeHart pointed out there are bad actors in any industry that don’t follow the rules.
“We have to watch that and if we get a complaint we have to act on it,” she said.
Staff also has the authority to grant variances to the bylaw where appropriate, such as during extreme heat events.
