A Vernon neighbourhood is fighting for its existence. A delegation of 
Cummins Road residents will put a plan before council Monday that it believes makes more sense than allowing through traffic and liquor establishments. Resident Kevin Lepp says there is considerable concern about the city’s proposal to open up the dead-end road to vehicles accessing Lakeshore Road. “If they need to make a plan, build a road around the neighbourhood and not through the neighbourhood,” he said.He believes a detour especially makes sense since the Strand is proceeding with more homes in the area. “It doesn’t make sense to put a main road through here.” The other contentious issue in the neighbourhood is the fate of the former Lakers golf property. Council voted in late November to rezone the city-owned site from parks to tourist commercial to allow for the Elks hall. But there is strong opposition from many residents. “We don’t want a liquor establishment on a street filled with kids and families. It’s not responsible,” said Lepp.
The city hopes to put the Elks into the clubhouse so it can acquire the current Elks lodge downtown. The residents would rather see the Lakers clubhouse turned over to the soccer association or another sports group for storage and related activities. They are also asking that the rest of the property be kept as park for use by the entire community. Part of Monday’s presentation will also deal with the city’s waterfront development plan. “We want to see development down here,” said Lepp. “The city owns eight properties on the lake so they should knock down those houses and open up the lake to people.” __________________________________________
Jan 21 2007 EDITORIAL http://www.vernonmorningstar.com
Hopefully the City of Vernon will look past its own, narrow interests and consider those of an Okanagan Landing neighbourhood. On Monday, a group of Cummins Road residents will be before council to promote an alternative to the city’s plans for the area. Whereas the city envisions Cummins Road being punched through to Lakeshore Road to encourage waterfront development, the residents are saying a better option would be to construct a new road that detours away from the existing homes and new residences on the drawing board. They fear a through-road would become a freeway that takes away from the feel of their neighbourhood and places them at risk. On top of that, they want the former Lakers Golf property preserved as park and not handed over to the Elks for a lodge. Based on past experiences, the residents are reluctant to share the area with a drinking establishment again. As with the road, issues of safety arise, as well as noise. At a time when Vernon is short of green space, it seems questionable that land zoned as park would be changed to accommodate a commercial use. But, it appears the city is bent on turning the Lakers building over to the Elks so it can justify its attempt to acquire the Elks halldowntown. All of this is happening despite the fact that the original plan for a cultural complex downtown has been shelved and there is no firm use in the works for the Elks hall.Increasingly, officials at city hall are talking about sustainable communities and neighbourhoods. But those views don’t reflect what’s happening on Cummins Road.
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