Citizen's Association Press Release
In response to public concern, the Association of Citizens for Summerland has initiated a petition calling for a referendum to gauge public sentiment before Council moves further on the Summerland Hills Golf Resort and Housing Development.
Last month’s public hearing on the Neighbourhood Plan for this project revealed a community divided. Council itself was also split during discussion and vote on this Plan, specifically with regard to affordable housing initiatives and the use of the Municipal Land.
During the Municipal elections last year, the City of Penticton posed a referendum question on the intended use of city owned land near Munson Mountain. The Association of Citizens for Summerland hopes their Council will follow suit and allow the community to cast a vote on whether 298 acres of Municipal Land should be sold, without any competitive bidding process, for this 780 million dollar project.
Amie Harbor, a director with the Citizens’ Association comments, “Because this is the last large piece of land held by the Municipality, and the consequences of this sale will be far reaching, the decision should not be made by Mayor and Council alone. Does the community support selling this parcel of land for this project? A referendum will settle the issue in the public’s mind.”
Director Gary Strachan adds, “The residential component of this project will involve significant costs to the community, including an additional water source and treatment plant, a new electrical substation and considerable road improvements. Any future borrowing for these projects would need to be brought before the public through an approval process, so why not ask the community up front if they are in support?”
The ACS is well underway collecting signatures for the Petition. They will be setting up signing stations in downtown Summerland over the next few week-ends as well as at the Summerland Fall Fair.
Diane Northcote, Association Treasurer comments, “If the developers truly believe the community is in support of using our Municipal land for their project, I invite them to support our initiative for a referendum.”
Last month’s public hearing on the Neighbourhood Plan for this project revealed a community divided. Council itself was also split during discussion and vote on this Plan, specifically with regard to affordable housing initiatives and the use of the Municipal Land.
During the Municipal elections last year, the City of Penticton posed a referendum question on the intended use of city owned land near Munson Mountain. The Association of Citizens for Summerland hopes their Council will follow suit and allow the community to cast a vote on whether 298 acres of Municipal Land should be sold, without any competitive bidding process, for this 780 million dollar project.
Amie Harbor, a director with the Citizens’ Association comments, “Because this is the last large piece of land held by the Municipality, and the consequences of this sale will be far reaching, the decision should not be made by Mayor and Council alone. Does the community support selling this parcel of land for this project? A referendum will settle the issue in the public’s mind.”
Director Gary Strachan adds, “The residential component of this project will involve significant costs to the community, including an additional water source and treatment plant, a new electrical substation and considerable road improvements. Any future borrowing for these projects would need to be brought before the public through an approval process, so why not ask the community up front if they are in support?”
The ACS is well underway collecting signatures for the Petition. They will be setting up signing stations in downtown Summerland over the next few week-ends as well as at the Summerland Fall Fair.
Diane Northcote, Association Treasurer comments, “If the developers truly believe the community is in support of using our Municipal land for their project, I invite them to support our initiative for a referendum.”
posted by Amie |
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