Regional district targets long-term vision

By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff Dec 29 2006 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
With the North Okanagan growing at an unprecedented pace, there are concerted efforts to ensure that the region remains an attractive and sustainable place to live. The North Okanagan Regional District is hoping to launch a much-anticipated growth strategy in 2007. “We’ve been slower off the mark than other regional districts when it comes to these strategies but it will be a positive environment,” said Jerry Oglow, chairman. Among the issues that would be investigated are the environment, transportation, water supply and land use. While individual communities have looked at these items on their own before, the difference this time around is that it would be done on a completely regional basis. “We’re trying to develop a long-term vision for the valley,” said Oglow. “We need to look out 25 to 50 years. It will lead to more linked official community plans.” While not as large as some regional districts, NORD still covers a vast geographical area — from Mara Lake in the north to Cosens Bay in the south and from Spallumcheen in the west to the Monashee summit in the east. Oglow admits that a regional growth strategy should have been conducted years ago, but the high cost made it challenging. In fact, what’s allowing NORD to proceed this time around is federal tax revenue. About $800,000 of $2.5 million in gas tax earmarked for the region will likely go to the strategy. “The entire region has embraced the concept so that’s important,” said Oglow. The remainder of the $2.5 million will go to initiatives deemed to have regional significance. “We asked for ideas and all of the communities responded,” said Oglow, adding that the options range from expanding transit to constructing an industrial park. Oglow doesn’t believe communities will openly compete with each other to have their projects approved. “There’s an appetite among the players to work collectively.” The other major issue on NORD’s agenda in 2007 is possibly establishing a regional economic development function. However, final approval hasn’t been granted yet, partly because some member jurisdictions are debating whether they will participate. Among them is Vernon. “It’s a work in progress and a lot of facts and figures need to be disseminated first,” said Oglow of a function. For Oglow, a regional approach to economic development is crucial because communities such as Lumby and Spallumcheen have land for industrial but Vernon has the commercial and cultural amenities businesses look for. “I think the City of Vernon realizes it needs the rest of the region to continue its own growth,” he said. Oglow, who represents Armstrong, was named NORD chairman in early December. He takes on responsibility for an organization that has a $16 million operating budget. He says NORD’s strength rests with its staff, the elected officials and general public who volunteer to sit on a variety of committees. “A lot of people are interested in building a better North Okanagan and I am quite optimistic about 2007,” he said.