The City of Kelowna Official Community Plan (OCP) is intended to ensure that as Kelowna grows, it can do so in a way that is environmentally and financially sustainable. In May 2025 Council approved initiation of the North Glenmore Sector Study, an OCP-identified planning study to evaluate how the City can grow in the future while continuing to respect the City’s objectives regarding the natural environment, agricultural practices, housing demand, economic development and transportation.
The City of Kelowna Official Community Plan (OCP) is intended to ensure that as Kelowna grows, it can do so in a way that is responsible. In May 2025 Council approved initiation of the North Glenmore Sector Study, an OCP-identified planning study to evaluate how the City can grow in the future while continuing to respect the City’s objectives regarding the natural environment, agricultural practices, housing demand, economic development and transportation.
The Sector Study will serve as a bridge between the current 2040 OCP policies and future detailed neighbourhood planning and zoning. The ultimate goal is for the Sector Study to inform a Council decision on next steps in the community planning process.
The NGSS is a four-phased planning process being overseen by City staff and managed by Placemark according to an approved Terms of Reference:
The ~4,000 acre Sector Study Lands are centrally located in the region, surrounded by the city’s growing economic centres including Kelowna Airport, UBC Okanagan, and industrial lands. Positioned along the east side of Okanagan Lake, the NGSS area is characterized by a series of dramatic peaks and ridges, offering panoramic lake and valley views, creating a distinct landscape experience.
Currently designated as a mix of Rural – Agricultural and Resource, Natural Area, Public Services/Utilities, and Educational/Institutional, the North Glenmore lands present an opportunity to plan for future housing, employment, parks, civic facilities, protected conservation areas, and infrastructure – all in a way that aligns with the 10 Pillars of the City’s Official Community Plan.
This information is also available on the City of Kelowna’s website.
Completion of the North Glenmore Sector Study requires range of technical professionals with specialized expertise.
Technical Deliverable Review and Process Guidance
Process Management, Planning, Urban Design and Stakeholder Consultation
Baseline Assessment and Environmental
Management Guidance
Wildfire Assessment and Management
Commercial, Industrial and Employment
Inventory
Civil Engineering and Infrastructure Planning
The Sector Study is identified in the OCP as a necessary next step in the evolution of the City to understand opportunities and implications of future growth. The scope of the North Glenmore Sector Study is focused on evaluating options for future housing, parks, employment, infrastructure servicing and community facilities while protecting key environmental and agricultural assets.
Although the current OCP is focused on developing a more intense urban core, it also recognizes that in the future, neighbourhood development may need to extend beyond the City’s current urban boundary as growth projections in housing, employment and related infrastructure continue to trend upwards in the region. Council passed a resolution to initiate the Sector Study in response to the significant employment growth occurring in the Gateway Area, which includes the Kelowna International Airport, UBC Okanagan, and industrial lands, with limited nearby housing and community services.
City Council unanimously approved the commencement of this study in May 2025. The study is a collaborative planning process led by Placemark and overseen by City staff. Technical experts from various disciplines have also been engaged to provide analyses and reviews of the work being undertaken.
The Sector Study is anticipated to take 10-12 months to complete. With the Terms of Reference for the process approved in July 2025, the Sector Study is targeted for completion in spring 2026.
Following completion of the process, the Sector Study will be presented to Council alongside consideration of OCP Amendments to signal future planning work.
Please provide your details on the CONTACT page or email us at ngss@placemark.ca with your name and property address within the Sector Study area, and we will contact you about landowner engagement opportunities.
If you have further question regarding the North Glenmore
Sector Study, please contact us at ngss@placemark.ca.
