City frustrates Rise developer

By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star StaffJun 25 2006 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=35&cat=23&id=676851&more=
The City of Vernon is being accused of allowing bureaucracy to sabotage a destination resort's plans. Leona Snider, president of The Rise, used a presentation to council Friday to blast city policies that she believes are targeted towards subdivisions more than resorts. "A resort development is not a suburban development," she said. "We've had a lot of changes given to us by the city and that's changing the natural environment and adding costs." One of Snider's primary concerns is the city's demands that trees be planted along roadways. "We've spent considerable funds on environmental studies and to now plant trees not native to the area will cause a lot of grief. We will have to supply them with water and they will kill the grasslands," she said. Snider also points out that The Rise has launched a vineyard and there are adjacent commercial orchards. "In a farming area, it's not advisable to attract birds (because they destroy crops)." Snider told council she takes issue with landscaping rules being imposed by the city at this stage in the development process. "Our plan was not frivolously thrown together," she said. There is also considerable concern that the city is promoting light pollution by demanding standard street lighting at The Rise, contrary to the resort's "dark sky" policy.
"Who wants it lit up like an air strip?" said Jim Radford, senior vice-president. Installing lights along the main arterial road will cost $3 million. "I've hired the best people to create a resort with ambiance and I'm dealing with bylaws that won't let me," said Snider. "The community has said to us to protect the environment but when you add lights and plant trees, it affects the environment." City staff confirm that regulations call for trees to be planted along boulevards.
"We're in the middle of discussions with the developer," said Lorne Holowachuk, the city's manager of planning, development and engineering services. Mayor Wayne Lippert acknowledged Friday that there are some differences of opinion between the city and The Rise.
"We've got a new council and they're interested in how the development is being done. It's good that she (Snider) came forward and wants to work things out," he said.