Farmer fears bypass plans

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - February 15, 2008

A Vernon orchardist fears a proposed bypass could rip apart prime farm land and undermine food security. Ron Pattermann, who owns a 23-acre orchard in the Bella Vista area, believes the western bypass could have a devastating impact on viable farming operations in Vernon. “Every time we do a road, we whittle away at the land base for farms,” he said. The city’s draft transportation plan outlines a variety of options for handling highway traffic through the community. The option preferred by city staff is the western bypass. It would divert traffic from downtown, and run from Highway 97, near the army camp, through Mission Hill, Okanagan Landing and Bella Vista before reconnecting with the highway near Swan Lake. “The city says it would only take five acres from me for it, but it alienates the rest of the land,” said Pattermann, who says it would be difficult to operate under those circumstances, including just accessing it by tractor. “My property would be split in half. How do you operate it? How do you spray? How do you get across to it?” Pattermann goes on to say that the Bella Vista area should be preserved for farm use because it is one of the few areas where fruit and grapes can be properly grown. “I’ve had people from all over the world come to my orchard,” he said, pointing out that he has won two awards for farming. He is increasingly concerned about residents being able to access locally raised food, and he says that will still be an issue in 30 or 40 years, the potential timeframe for the bypass. “We are still going to need farm land then,” he said.

The city is currently reviewing its official community plan and one option calls for the preservation of agricultural land and natural ecosystems. “This highway flies in the face of everything people wanted at the OCP meetings,” said Pattermann. The city will solicit public feedback on the transportation plan through a series of open houses and an input session March 25. Coun. Jack Gilroy doesn’t believe residents should be concerned about the western bypass actually being built. “It’s just another option to take to the people for consideration but I hope they will say no to the western bypass,” he said. “The grade is too much and will disrupt things too much.” Gilroy also states that any new highway would require government funding. “Do you think we have the $635 million for it?” he said of the city. To handle highway flow through Vernon, Gilroy favours extending 27th Street to Highway 97.

The Western Corridor Impact Assessment Committee, which opposes the western bypass, has established a Web site at www.wciac.org.“We want people to know the pros and cons of the bypass,” said member Jane Weixl.

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Editorial Morning Star Feb 15 Public must get involved

No sooner did the City of Vernon release the draft transportation plan, and the war of words began. Those individuals and groups who oppose a western bypass see the document as a verification of their worst fears because city staff has put that forward as their preferred option. Beyond the details of the plan, there is a difference of opinion over process. The city claims it is doing everything it can to garner public input on the plan — which covers a variety of issues beyond just bypasses — while critics suggest the final outcome has been pre-determined and any attempt to solicit public feedback is smoke and mirrors. There is perhaps a kernel of truth to each view, so residents really shouldn’t get hung up on who is right and who is wrong. The bottom line is that transportation issues and the ability of citizens to get around are crucial now and in the years to come. When it comes to navigating highway traffic through Vernon, there are limited alternatives so each needs to be considered carefully. Is the western bypass the best route? Or is it an eastern bypass, an overhead highway or just doing nothing at all? But building new roads isn’t the only aspect of the plan. There is also a focus on getting people out of cars either through cycling, bike paths or transit. What is needed now is for all residents to get directly involved in the process. Attend the city’s open houses and input sessions. Read the plan and check out information from the Western Corridor Impact Assessment Committee and the North Okanagan Naturalists Club.Do your homework and become aware. Let your council know exactly how you want transportation issues to be handled.