ALC to Hold Public Information Session
Thank-you to all who have written to the ALC with concerns regarding the exclusion application in West Prairie Valley. The ALC has responded. This notice was received yesterday afternoon.
Dear all,Thank you for your interest in the above-noted application. As was noted at the exclusion meeting of September 23, 2005, the Commission has several options open to it to gather information on the application. The Commission has decided to hold a public information meeting from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.onWednesday, October 12, 2005 in the Municipal Hall Council Chambers,located at 13211 Henry Avenue, Summerland, BC. All interested parties are welcome to participate. An official notice will be included in the October 2 edition of theSummerland Bulletin and the October 6 edition of the Summerland Review.
As I understand it, the public will be allowed to give verbal presentations to the commissioners. It appears they are seeking further input into this important decision, and this is good news!
Dear all,Thank you for your interest in the above-noted application. As was noted at the exclusion meeting of September 23, 2005, the Commission has several options open to it to gather information on the application. The Commission has decided to hold a public information meeting from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.onWednesday, October 12, 2005 in the Municipal Hall Council Chambers,located at 13211 Henry Avenue, Summerland, BC. All interested parties are welcome to participate. An official notice will be included in the October 2 edition of theSummerland Bulletin and the October 6 edition of the Summerland Review.
As I understand it, the public will be allowed to give verbal presentations to the commissioners. It appears they are seeking further input into this important decision, and this is good news!
posted by Amie |
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1 Comments:
Just for information sake, here is the letter which I sent to the Commission, strongly requesting a public hearing:
I attended the ALC hearing for the ALR exclusion application in West Prairie Valley, Summerland; applicants, District of Summerland, BC Crown ( and Brandenburg et al.), jointly represented by Brad Elenko.
I am writing to comment on what was said that day, Friday September 23rd, 2005.
Firstly, I would like to directly refute several statements. It was stated that the newly annexed lands became part of the District of Summerland approximately a year and a half ago. In fact, this annexation only took place February 1st, 2005. See direct quotation from Municipal minutes:
THAT Council receive the Declaration dated February 1, 2005 pertaining to the Boundary Extension.
"""A member of Council also noted that the parcel of land for the boundary extension encompasses approximately 377 hectares...The Mayor reiterated that this vote is not about a future golf course development, water or sewer, environmental issues, roads, etc. but is about extending the boundaries of the District of Summerland..."""
It was stated during the ALC hearing that the golf course development could not proceed without the ALR lands in question. In fact, during the Mayor's report, Council Meeting Minutes dated November 8th, 2004, Mayor Tom Johnston states:
"""Agur Developments is looking at partnering with the Brandenburg Development Group from California on a proposed 27-hole golf course and 1500 residential units. During the visit to California our delegation saw similar developments by this group and met with local government officials. Mayor Johnston answered a number of questions with respect to water supply, the ALR, and why the District is looking at this expansion [boundary]now. He noted that the development has its own water supply, DOES NOT INVOLVE ALR LAND (my capitals), and that the project has been on the books for approximately fifteen years."""
With respect to water supply, much has been made of the fact that sufficient water has been found in the aquifer in the area. Despite this, it is the intent of this development to connect to the Municipality's potable water system. This is outlined in the neighbourhood plan and has been confirmed with municipal staff. At present, all of Summerland's current water catchment is allotted. Utilizing the water license for Okanagan Lake may not be economically feasible, as pumping Lake water to the upper levels of Summerland could prove cost prohibitive. It is unknown how much water could be gained through this scenario.
Secondly, I question Summerland's need for land for residential purposes. As we speak, there are residential lots and new houses available (some for over a year now) in many new developments, including, Rock Garden Estates, Bristow Terrace, Victoria Court, Beavis Place, and Prior Place. New developments already underway include Summerland Vistas (90 units), Trout Creek (at least 100 units), Tuscan Terrace (34 units), and the Wharton Street Development complex which will likely see multi-family dwellings. There is a neighbourhood plan already in place on the Jersey Lands. Summerland is certainly in no dire need for land for residential growth. We haven't even started considering densification of the town core.
And thirdly and most importantly, the ALR LANDS IN QUESTION ARE PUBLIC LANDS; District (25 hectares) and Crown (130 hectares)! Either municipally owned or provincially owned, they are owned by the public and the residents of this community deserve a public hearing on this issue. At each step of this process, our Council has evaded the connection between the annexation of new land, the exclusion of this Agricultural land and the Summerland Hills Golf Course and Residential Development. At the June 13th, 2005 Council Meeting, during question period, I specifically asked Council how they could separate the ALR exclusion application from the Golf Course Development, as no public dialogue connecting the two had been allowed. The answer I received from them was "That's easy. It's separate." And yet, at this ALC hearing, most of the presentation consisted of a description of the Development and how it will benefit Summerland. This ALR exclusion is clearly being pursued for this specific development and the community of Summerland deserves a chance to speak to this directly.
Please, proceed with a public hearing on this application. The proposed develpment would, at full build out, comprise nearly 30% of the population of Summerland. The residents want and deserve a say in this matter.
Sincerely,
By
Amie, at 10:46 a.m.
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