Golden’s Town Council will meet on Tuesday, July 15th, 2025, at 1:15 p.m. to discuss a range of local matters, including a new airport lease, residential development proposals, and recreation infrastructure funding.
The meeting will be held in Council Chambers at Town Hall and is open to the public via Zoom.
Airport Lease to Weber Powder
Council will consider approving a new five-year lease with Weber Powder for approximately 2,300 square metres at the Golden Municipal Airport. The lease rate would be set at $2.87 per square metre, in line with existing commercial lease rates. While no off-site servicing works are required, Weber Powder will be asked to contribute to sewer infrastructure upgrades at the 12th Street South Lift Station, which will be impacted by the hangar development.
Bears Paw Heights Phase 6 Proposal Moves to Next Stage
At the July 15 Town of Golden Council meeting, staff will present an update on the proposed Phase 6 expansion of the Bear’s Paw Heights subdivision, located on the south side of Spruce Drive. Council is being asked to direct staff on how to proceed with negotiations involving a potential land sale and land swap.
The proposal comes from the developer seeking to extend the residential neighbourhood into Town-owned lands adjacent to the existing subdivision. According to the agenda materials, the Council will provide feedback to guide staff in shaping the terms of the proposed deal.
This marks a significant step in the project’s advancement, but it remains in early negotiation phases. No final decisions will be made at this meeting.
• Location: The proposed Phase 6 area lies south of Spruce Drive and would expand the current Bear’s Paw neighbourhood footprint.
• Land Transaction: The developer is proposing a land purchase or swap with the Town to facilitate development.
• Council Input: Staff are requesting Council feedback on key issues before proceeding with further negotiations or public consultation.
While the agenda package does not include public input or opposition letters, Bears Paw Heights has previously generated public concern over issues such as access, slope stability, infrastructure strain, and impact on surrounding green spaces. It’s unclear whether these concerns are resurfacing with the Phase 6 proposal, as no delegation or correspondence on this topic was included in the meeting documents.
The council’s decision to continue negotiations does not equate to project approval. A full rezoning and development permit process—including public consultation—would still be required if the project advances.
Council’s feedback at this stage will shape the parameters for negotiation with the developer. A follow-up report would return to Council with more detailed information on any proposed agreements, and a formal process would follow for land disposition, rezoning, and community engagement.
Columbia Basin Trust Grant Supports Local Projects
A budget amendment is proposed to allocate $80,500 in new grant funding from the Columbia Basin Trust’s REACH program. Of that, $32,500 would go toward paving stone installations for the soccer area at Keith King Memorial Park, and $48,000 would support lobby upgrades at the Rec-Plex.
Internal Reports and Correspondence
Staff have submitted several internal updates for the Council’s review, including:
• Bylaw Enforcement Q2 Summary: 84 files were opened and 48 warnings issued in Q2, with no tickets resulting in fines. Priorities included bear-proof bins, water restrictions, and illegal camping.
• Infrastructure Pressures: A memo outlines capacity concerns at the 12th Street South Lift Station, suggesting the need for a latecomer policy and updated Development Cost Charges (DCCs) to support growth.
• Council Resolution Tracking: Staff updated the status of dozens of active and completed Council directives, including those related to solid waste, policing, and the outdoor pool.
External Correspondence Highlights
Council will also receive and acknowledge a number of external letters, including:
• A community request for stronger action on climate via the Plant Based Treaty initiative.
• A letter from the Town of Oliver seeking UBCM support for updated land use rules at Crown Grant airports.
• A public safety appeal from Battered Women’s Support Services highlighting gender-based violence.
• A request from the CSRD for a public review of the 2024 Dogtooth Fire to improve emergency response and community trust.
Strategic Priorities
At the close of the meeting, Council will review the 2024–2026 Strategic Priorities and Municipal Objectives document, outlining high-level goals for community development, infrastructure, and governance.
The full agenda and supporting materials are available on the Town’s website. Members of the public can attend the meeting in person or via Zoom.
