Green space, crime and traffic were front and centre as 20 people attended a public hearing at city hall Monday to discuss possible rezoning of land on 19th 
Avenue to allow for a 40-unit multi-family housing complex. “It’s a scary area. It’s no man’s land,” said neighbour Sandy Coolidge of drugs and other criminal activity there. The housing complex may include a daycare, and neighbour Charmaine Lazzarotto says she is worried about the children’s safety. “I’ve been approached by gang members with knives,” she said. Residents claim an influx of new families could only compound existing problems, especially because they feel abandoned by the RCMP. “The police don’t seem to care. Nobody ever comes down there,” said Christopher Crerar. Questions also arose over speeding and traffic on narrow streets in the neighbourhood. “A child’s going to be killed and that’s what it’s going to take for the city to listen to us,” said Lazzarotto.
But perhaps the most controversial aspect of the proposal is using a large chunk of park for housing. “The next park is at the high school and that’s 10 blocks away. That’s a long way for a little kid to go,” said Crerar. Currently, the park is 25,000-square-feet in size, but it would shrink to 10,000-square-feet if the complex goes ahead. “There will be room for little kids but no one else. That’s not adequate for the new complex or the surrounding neighbourhood,” said resident Bruce Thompson. The land for the project has been provided by the city. “This complex has been needed for a long time but our green space will be cut down,” said Tara Baumbach. Some speakers suggested redesigning the layout of the complex and moving buildings closer to the sewer plant as a way of preserving the green space. “It’s such a God-send for the children around here,” said a man of the playground equipment and basketball court.
The complex is being proposed by the Vernon Native Housing Society. “There’s a very public need for affordable housing,” said architect Phil MacDonald. MacDonald added that the site has been designed to help deter criminal activity and more traffic. “If you bring the right project in, you have more eyes on the street. This project will lend a strong voice to the problems they (residents) are experiencing.” In terms of the park, MacDonald said, “If I’m a resident and use the area, I’m going to feel a loss. I can understand that.” Val Chiba, society president, also made a pitch for affordable housing. “We have parents living with their children in cars because they can’t afford an apartment let alone a house,” she said. Chiba added that the society runs a number of facilities in the community and it has a strong track record. “Our society provides safe, affordable housing.”
A decision on rezoning is expected within a few weeks, but based on the residents’ comments Monday, council will set up a meeting with Insp. Steve McVarnock of the RCMP. “The concerns about the policing will be looked into. We heard that loud and clear,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert. Coun. Patrick Nicol is also pushing for action. “They need to pay a visit to the citizens down there and get a sense of what’s going on,” he said of the RCMP. McVarnock would not comment directly on the issues coming out of the South Vernon area. “I want to do some research first so I am prepared for council,” he said.
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Morning Star EDITORIAL South Vernon needs attention
What comes to mind when you hear the name South Vernon? For many, the common perception is of lower-income families, crime and, of course, 
the sewer treatment plant. But get beyond that and you will find a neighbourhood pretty much like any other. There are people who head off to work every day and are involved in their community and their children’s lives. Many have called that area home for decades. And there was perhaps no greater example of neighbourhood pride than Monday when residents converged on city hall. They were asked to provide input on a proposed multi-family complex, but they took advantage of the opportunity to inform the politicians of their challenges — traffic, drugs and violence. “You people have no idea of what it’s like,” said one resident. The residents are not against affordable housing moving into the area. In fact, many of them spoke of their own personal experiences and how such facilities positively impacted them. But they are afraid that an additional 40 families will only compound the serious problem that already exists, especially if a large chunk of park is lost to the development. They face challenges on a daily basis and they don’t want them inflicted on others. Hopefully Monday’s meeting was an eye-opener for city council. While there is unprecedented growth and wealth in the community, there are social issues that have to be addressed. Now is the time for the city, the RCMP and the proponents of the housing complex to get directly involved with the residents to try and find long-term solutions that work to the benefit of everyone. South Vernon residents have spoken and they need to be heard.
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