Urban sprawl tops city survey

Don Plant 2008-06-30 Kelowna Courier
Protecting the natural environment and maintaining water quality top Kelowna‘s list of priorities in a voluntary survey. Public responses to the city‘s review of the official community plan suggest people are more anxious about urban sprawl and paving over green space than they are about the economy or housing affordability. “Stop with the never-ending development of hillsides and ALR lands. . . . Start building up instead of out,” said one survey participant. “Stop . . . the development of the Glenmore highlands, Crawford Canyon and removing land from the ALR,” said another. Results of the OCP review‘s first survey, which closed May 25, were released last week. More than 1,100 people entered the unscientific survey and 799 completed its questions. The city asked people to send their comments online or in writing to help direct what Kelowna will look like in 2030. The answers provide a snapshot of opinion on higher density, transportation, access to affordable housing and preserving wildlife within city limits. Asked how important water is to the community, 79 per cent of those who answered said “very important.” The same proportion said the natural environment was very important.

Following were energy/climate change/air quality (with 73 per cent saying “very important”), health and wellness (69 per cent), resource use and disposal (68 per cent), community (56 per cent), economy (52 per cent) and culture (41 per cent). Most agreed the city lacks affordable shelter and provides an ineffective transportation system. “Development desperately needs more affordable housing so we can keep our young people here,” read one comment. “A low number of people riding the bus doesn‘t mean the demand is low,” reads another. Reviews were mixed on whether Kelowna provides enough parkland and green space, has community spirit or is bicycle friendly. Respondents were critical of the city‘s development over the last 10 years, with four in five saying it‘s unsustainable in the long run. A majority said they‘d support efforts to slow the growth rate and preserve agricultural land. Asked to recommend “one big, bold” land-use change to make the city more sustainable, most respondents supported increased density. Others suggested locating density downtown, limiting high-rise development and improving pedestrian and bicycle networks. “Create higher-density areas to alleviate use for cars in favour of walking. (The) city now is spread too far for efficient day-to-day living,” said one respondent. At an open house on June 4, people were asked to vote for sustainability goals by distributing five poker chips among eight categories. Most chose protection or enhancement of natural areas (141 chips). Maintaining water quality garnered 128 chips. The city will conduct a second survey at the end of July.