The following is a brief summary of selected items scheduled for discussion at the Town of Golden’s Special Open Council meeting, as we are limited for space. It is not a complete account of the meeting package.
Residents who would like to review the agenda in detail can visit the Town of Golden’s website to download the full committee package and supporting documents ahead of the meeting.
• Resident calls for pedestrian safety improvements on Selkirk Hill
A Golden resident is calling on Town Council to take immediate action to improve pedestrian safety on Selkirk Hill following a recent vehicle accident along the route.
In correspondence to council, Dave Turner Crerar said members of his family came upon the accident while cycling up the pedestrian pathway. He said the incident highlighted the risks posed by speeding and distracted driving along a corridor reportedly used by an estimated 50 children travelling to and from school each day.
Turner Crerar has asked the Town to commission an engineering and traffic review focused on pedestrian and school-route safety. He also requested interim measures, including additional signage, school-hour speed enforcement and a reduced speed limit, while longer-term improvements are considered.
His proposed permanent measures include improved crossings, greater pathway protection and traffic-calming infrastructure. He also asked council to provide residents with a written timeline and to prioritize pedestrian safety in the upcoming municipal budget.
Turner Crerar previously raised concerns about speeding along Spruce Drive and proposed additional stop signs at the Maple Drive and Juniper Drive intersections.
• Golden assigned highest air-quality management level
Golden has been assigned a “red” air-quality management level after local monitoring found that fine particulate matter exceeded the national annual standard.
According to the Ministry of Environment and Parks, Golden recorded an annual PM2.5 level of 9.4 micrograms per cubic metre, above the Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standard of 8.8. The community’s 24-hour measurement was 25 micrograms per cubic metre, slightly below the standard of 27.
The red designation calls for the most stringent management actions under Canada’s Air Quality Management System. While the broader Southern Interior Air Zone has previously been rated red, this is the first time Golden has received the designation individually.
The ministry said the data were adjusted to remove the effects of wildfires and other outside influences, meaning the elevated pollution levels were attributed to local sources.
The province has committed to supporting Wildsight Golden’s Community Woodsmoke Reduction Program, which is intended to reduce fine particulate matter from wood-burning appliances in Golden.
• Town sets communication rules ahead of municipal election
The Town of Golden will scale back public communications and pause public engagement activities during the lead-up to the 2026 municipal election.
The restrictions will be in place from the beginning of the nomination period on Sept. 1 until general voting day on Oct. 17. The Town says the measures are intended to maintain neutrality and prevent municipal operations from appearing to support a candidate, political group or election issue.
Regular operational updates, including information about road closures, maintenance, recreation programs, emergencies and voting, will continue. However, announcements involving new funding, projects or initiatives, along with public engagement on potentially contentious matters, will be paused.
Town communications will also avoid using the names or images of current council members during the election period.
Municipal staff and council members are prohibited from using Town email accounts, devices, facilities, staff time or other municipal resources for campaign purposes. Staff must also remain impartial while working and treat incumbent and new candidates equally when responding to requests for information.
• Town sponsorship fund supports six community events
The Town of Golden has awarded $3,375 through its Council Corporate Sponsorship Fund during the first half of 2026.
Six organizations received support, including $1,000 for Golden Minor Hockey’s U18 Tier 4 provincial championships and $500 each for the Golden Nordic Ski Club’s Huckleberry Loppet, a Special Olympics provincial cross-country skiing qualifying event, the Purcell Mountain Orchestra’s 20th anniversary gala and Golden Cooperative Radio’s Summer Block Party.
The Golden Figure Skating Club also received $375 for its year-end ice show.
The fund has an annual budget of $10,000, leaving $6,625 available for the remainder of the year.
Under the Town’s policy, sponsorship applications may be jointly approved by the mayor and chief administrative officer, with expenditures reported to council twice a year.
• Parking dominates Golden bylaw enforcement activity
Traffic and parking matters accounted for most bylaw enforcement activity in Golden during the second quarter of 2026.
From April through June, the Town’s bylaw department issued 83 warnings and 20 tickets, while the RCMP and fire department issued another six tickets. A total of $1,030 was collected from paid tickets.
Of the 83 warnings issued, 67 involved traffic or parking. The department also recorded six animal-control warnings, nine watering warnings and one waste-related warning. Two vehicles were towed during the quarter.
The Town opened 98 bylaw enforcement files and closed 82 during the quarter. It also licensed 24 dogs and reported one short-term rental infraction.
Proactive bylaw activity increased compared with recent years, rising to 71 actions from 55 in the second quarter of 2025 and 40 in 2024. Most of that increase came from traffic enforcement, which rose to 58 proactive actions.
Third-quarter priorities will include animal-control education, watering restrictions and wildlife attractants, along with continued enforcement related to parking and illegal camping.
• Town launches review of development approval process
The Town of Golden has launched a multi-year project aimed at improving how development applications are reviewed and processed.
The Development Process Improvement Project will examine the Town’s existing procedures, previous reports, industry feedback and practices used by comparable municipalities. Bluerock Planning has been hired to provide additional support to the Planning and Development Department.
The project will be completed in three stages: identifying key recommendations, implementing those recommendations and monitoring the results.
Expected improvements include clearer timelines, more standardized procedures, greater transparency and better communication with applicants and the public. The Town also hopes to improve data tracking, compare its performance with similar resort municipalities and prepare for the possible digitization of development applications.
• Forestry minister thanked for visit to Golden
The Town of Golden and Columbia Shuswap Regional District Area A have thanked B.C. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar for meeting with local government representatives, industry leaders and community stakeholders during a June 8 visit to Golden.
In a joint letter, Acting Mayor Kristi Cooper and Area A Director Karen Cathcart said the discussions focused on Golden’s proposed community forest, Indigenous partnerships and opportunities within the region’s small-scale forest products and value-added sector.
The letter emphasized the role community forests can play in supporting local employment, sustainable forest management, wildfire risk reduction and community investment. It also called continued provincial support essential to keeping rural communities involved in the stewardship of B.C.’s forest resources.
Parmar was invited to return for a tour of local forestry operations and wildfire risk-reduction projects, including a possible aerial tour of the Golden Timber Supply Area and areas connected to the proposed Mount 7 community forest tenure.
• Council to consider nearly $735,000 in EOF requests
Golden Town Council will consider four requests totalling $734,950 from the Economic Opportunity Fund for community programs and economic-development work.
The applications include $36,000 for the Golden Food Bank Society’s 2026 program budget, $433,950 for Golden Community Economic Development Society services, another $165,000 for a Golden CED resourcing project and $100,000 for Local Food Matters’ 2027 core operations.
The Golden and Area A fund had approximately $1.2 million in uncommitted money as of July 12. After accounting for two previously supported requests, the balance would fall to about $1.12 million. Approval of all four new applications would reduce the available balance to $386,734.
Town staff cautioned that using the fund for ongoing annual operating costs at the requested levels would not be sustainable. The fund receives roughly $700,000 annually, and continued support for the Food Bank, Golden CED and Local Food Matters could consume all or more than the yearly allocation, leaving little funding for other projects.
The Economic Opportunity Fund is financed through BC Hydro payments in lieu of taxes and is intended to support projects offering a demonstrable and lasting economic benefit to Golden and Electoral Area A. Council’s decisions must also receive approval from the Columbia Shuswap Regional District board.
• Town reports progress on strategic priorities
The Town of Golden has released its second-quarter update on the 2025-2028 Council Strategic Plan, outlining progress on economic development, infrastructure, governance and long-term financial planning.
Among the completed objectives are establishing staff liaisons with Tourism Golden and Golden Community Economic Development, activating the Town’s fire inspection program, installing another sanitary sewer monitoring device and completing an internal communications plan.
Construction of Well 7 is expected to begin in August, pending an Interior Health construction permit. Work is also underway on the Pine Drive alternate sewer main, with substantial completion targeted by the end of the year.
The Town’s aquatic facilities study is also advancing, with a consultant’s report expected to be presented on Aug. 18, followed by a public information event that evening. Meanwhile, a review of potential new municipal revenue sources has been delayed because of other corporate priorities.
The quarterly report is intended to help council track changing conditions and adjust priorities, resources and timelines where necessary.
• Town asked to move funding for new council training
Golden Town Council is being asked to approve a $10,075 budget amendment so orientation training for the newly elected council can begin this fall.
Town staff discovered that all funding for council orientation had been placed in the 2027 budget, although the training was intended to take place across both 2026 and 2027. A contractor and training dates have already been secured, with the first session planned for November.
The proposed amendment would move $10,075 into the 2026 operating budget, with the money coming from the Town’s Financial Stabilization Reserve. The 2027 budget would then be adjusted during next year’s budget process.
Staff described the amendment as a correction to the financial plan that would allow the orientation program to proceed as scheduled following the Oct. 17 municipal election.
• Golden Co-Op Radio seeks approval for rooftop antenna
Golden Co-Op Radio is seeking the Town’s support to install a new FM broadcast antenna on the roof of the Golden branch of the Okanagan Regional Library at 819 Park Drive.
The proposed 5.5-metre antenna would be used to provide community-oriented radio programming to Golden and surrounding areas. The station’s proposed call sign is CKOG-FM, broadcasting at 91.9 MHz.
The required federal public consultation ran from April 13 to May 14, with no comments or objections received. Transport Canada, NAV Canada and the Golden and District Hospital heliport manager also raised no objections.
Town staff say the antenna complies with Golden’s zoning bylaw. The combined building and antenna height would be 11.6 metres, below the 20 metres permitted at the site.
Council is being asked to direct staff to provide a letter of concurrence. Final regulatory authority rests with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
• Variance sought for new home on 10th Street South
Golden Town Council is being asked to approve a development variance permit for a proposed single-detached home at 909 10th Street South.
The property is zoned R2 Twin Residential, where a single-detached dwelling is permitted. The variance would allow the new home to have side-yard setbacks of 1.5 metres on both sides, rather than requiring a three-metre setback on one side.
The applicant says the narrower setback is needed because the lot frontage was reduced to 10.33 metres when the property was subdivided in 2016. The variance would allow for a more practical floor plan and better use of the infill lot. The proposed home would otherwise comply with the zoning bylaw.
Two parking spaces are included, with one at the front and another accessed from the rear lane.
The Town completed public notification, including posting a sign and notifying properties within 100 metres. No submissions or comments were received.
Staff are recommending approval, noting the proposal supports the Official Community Plan’s goals for infill development and efficient use of existing infrastructure.
• Rockwater seeks expanded liquor licence and later rooftop patio hours
The Rockwater Grill and Bar is seeking to expand its liquor-primary licence to include the former Reposados space and bring its rooftop patio under the Rockwater licence.
The newly added interior area would have capacity for 40 people. A review by the Town’s building official also found that the permitted capacity of the main interior area could increase from 281 to 333, while the ground-floor patio could increase from 75 to 78. Although the combined areas could hold 548 people, washroom limitations would cap the establishment at 400.
The rooftop patio, which has historically been licensed through the neighbouring Whitetooth Bistro, would be transferred to the Rockwater licence. The applicant is seeking hours until 2 a.m., matching the rest of the establishment.
Town policy typically supports an 11 p.m. closing time for patios near residential areas. Staff noted that the rooftop patio is across the river from more than 40 apartment units and that council may wish to consider reduced hours because of potential late-night noise.
Council is being asked to authorize public consultation before making a final decision. Public feedback would be gathered through signage, delivered notices and newspaper advertising.
• Contract recommended for Rec-Plex skatepark project
Golden Town Council is being asked to award a $286,000 contract to Set in Stone Landscaping for the next phase of improvements at Whitetooth Legacy Park.
The project will reconfigure the former tennis court beside the Rec-Plex into a beginner skate and bike park, along with landscaping and related site improvements. The work is part of a larger plan that also includes a year-round heated washroom and skating changeroom.
Three bids were received. Set in Stone submitted the lowest proposal at $275,000, which rises to $286,000 with a four per cent contingency. The other bids came in at $302,255 and $423,498.
Construction is expected to begin in mid-August and be completed by November, depending on the availability of the paving subcontractor.
The overall Rec-Plex park block project has a budget of $645,505, including a $400,000 Columbia Basin Trust grant. The washroom building has already been awarded at $305,000, leaving $54,505 in contingency after the proposed landscaping and skatepark contract.
• Town adopts bylaw to simplify revisions and consolidations
The Town of Golden has adopted a new bylaw giving its corporate officer authority to revise and consolidate municipal bylaws.
Bylaw No. 1515 allows amended bylaws to be combined into a single updated document, with repealed or expired provisions removed.
The corporate officer will also be able to remove obsolete, inoperative or transitional provisions and correct clerical, grammatical and typographical errors. The authority does not allow substantive policy changes without council approval.
Council gave the bylaw its first three readings on June 16 and will potentially adopt it on July 21.
