A small animal rehabilitation centre in southeast Kelowna has been approved by city council.
Wild Things Rehabilitation Society was given approval to operate on land at 2605 O91裸聊视频橰ielly Road following a public hearing Nov. 15. Council approved a site-specific text amendment for the property in August. However, city staff still had concerns about potential damage to the environmentally sensitive site due to clearing and the moving structures onto the property.
READ MORE: Kelowna council wild about animal rehab
Wild Things founder Sydney Platz said they hired an engineer to design a small access road and building footprint.
91裸聊视频淭hat aligns with the areas cleared by the previous owners, that respects the ecology of the site,91裸聊视频� said Platz.
She added that it91裸聊视频檚 in the best interest of the animals to leave the property as natural as possible. The centre would treat small mammals, such as squirrels and chipmunks, and songbirds as permitted by a provincial permit. Concerns from neighbours focused on potentially diseased or deceased animals on-site.
91裸聊视频淲e appreciate the concern about avian flu and other contagions that can be found in wild and domestic animals populations,91裸聊视频� Platz told council. 91裸聊视频淲e do have extensive protocols in place to mitigate these risks.91裸聊视频�
Rehabilitated animals would not be released on the Wild Things property, instead, they would be set free near where they were originally found. The property was donated by Trent and Maria Kitsch. Kitsch is the founder of Saxx Underwear and the co-founder of Kitsch Wines and Doja Cannabis Company.
91裸聊视频淭his project is exponentially more feasible with no monthly rent, lease or mortgage91裸聊视频nd could make the difference between success and failure for this desperately needed service,91裸聊视频� said Platz.
Council was mostly in support of the project.
91裸聊视频淚 think it91裸聊视频檚 of value and would be a welcome addition to our community,91裸聊视频� said Coun. Charlie Hodge.
Coun. Mohini Singh said she was impressed with the applicant91裸聊视频檚 presentation.
91裸聊视频淚 am comfortable with the level of competence and experience on behalf of the applicant,91裸聊视频� she said.
Coun. Maxine DeHart was similarly pleased to vote in favour.
91裸聊视频淭o see that there are people in our neighbourhood that want to do this, I am absolutely thrilled.91裸聊视频�
Councillors Gord Lovegrove and Ron Cannan were the only ones not in favour. Lovegrove said while the project had merit, he felt the site was 91裸聊视频渘ot the right site.91裸聊视频� Cannan said he appreciated the passion of the applicant but still voted against it.
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gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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