Making Good into Great
I had posted a long list of things we could do in Summerland to enhance the town (especially downtown), but I realized later that this kind of personal crystal-ball gazing probably doesn't belong on the web site of the association, even though it may be interesting to most of the members. We'll be opening up the site to a few members at a time, so you should be seeing other people's opinions and announcements here soon, more focused on the specific aims of the group.
Anyway, if you are still curious, I moved my list of ideas for Summerland over to my personal site. You're welcome to comment here, though -- Frank's getting things rolling with a great comment already.
Anyway, if you are still curious, I moved my list of ideas for Summerland over to my personal site. You're welcome to comment here, though -- Frank's getting things rolling with a great comment already.
posted by Jeremy |
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2 Comments:
It is obvious that you have put a lot of thought into this post, Jeremy.
You have listed a great many potential changes to make Summerland a very
attractive place. Almost too attractive if all of your wishes were to come
true, which you might see in your life time if we start now, but never in
mine. I say "too attractive" because you will have made many casual
visitors begin to think "Wouldn't this be the place to live, retire, or
whatever." Before you know it, you would be in the same position as Kelowna
or Westbank were years ago, particularly if lot and home prices were lower
than the average throughout the valley.
On the other hand, have you ever visited or passed through unattractive
communities, where your initial impression was, "Man, I wouldn't live here
if you paid me." Did you ever think of why people live there? I'm thinking
of a place like Enderby, or even Faulder, or particularly Okanagan Falls
with its flea market stalls along the highway. Even though these places are
in the Okanagan they attract a certain type of individual or family who
aren't particularly interested in attractive homes, communities with
personality, etc. However, these places must have something that people
want or need. Mostly, I suspect, it is cheap housing, a lack of building
codes or other regulations that would have hampered their move into
mainstream communities.
No, Jeremy, if you make a place too attractive you'll have a rapid
population increase. And if the increase is similar to that happening to
the north of us than you are back in the same situation of over- populaton.
I personally agree with all of the suggested changes you have made in your
article. It would certainly add to the beautification of the downtown as
well as making it more livable for all, but...right now, I believe we ought
to make it our priority to address other problems, that is, making sure our
ALR land is kept intact and that we absoutely refrain from any sprawl within
Summerland.
Frank
April 27/2005
By
Anonymous, at 1:11 p.m.
Thanks for this comment, Frank. We may be more in agreement than you thingk.
I think Summerland is already the kind of desirable place you're describing, which is why real estate is as valuable as it is right now. Even if none of my suggestions every sees reality, the combination of lake access, proximity to Penticton and Kelowna, and natural beauty will continue to drive demand.
I don't see downtown densification and ALR protection as separate issues because I'm assuming the demand will be there for housing, and I think it should go in the right place. My hope is that a dense, vital downtown would actually take the pressure OFF the ALR and hillsides. And the corallary is that I hope they protect the ALR and hillsides from development so that the demand for housing will drive downtown residential development.
By
Jeremy, at 3:06 p.m.
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