Variance permit sparks debate

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - June 26, 2008

Some politicians believe a shift from industrial to commercial uses in north Vernon has been a mistake. Considerable debate erupted Monday as council was asked to approve a development variance permit for property on Anderson Way. The applicant wants to construct two commercial lots. “It’s the worst indication of planning for the future,” said Coun. Barry Beardsell, who insisted that the Anderson business park was supposed to be for industrial activities. “We keep seeing variances and variances. We keep changing it and making things worse.” Beardsell added that many of the commercial businesses on Anderson Way duplicate what is already downtown. “This is getting so far away from a business industrial park it’s not even funny.” Dale Rintoul, the city’s longtime planner, admits that more industrial uses in the Anderson subdivision would be ideal. “The market has chosen big box and retail,” he said. “If we were to do it over, we’d say no to big box and retail but those weren’t the decisions made at the time.”

All building permits for the Anderson business park were sanctioned by a majority of previous or current city councils. “No it’s not perfect planning, but we are living with the decisions made at the time,” said Rintoul. A representative for the company seeking the development variance permit application told council Monday that realtors and accountants are interested in owning their own offices in a strata setting. But that possibility didn’t go over well with Coun. Juliette Cunningham. “We want to preserve downtown and it concerns me that some of the accounting businesses want to leave downtown and go to the north end,” she said. Cunningham also questions how the business park has evolved from industrial to commercial. “You (previous councils) had to stick to your guns and then we’re left with a hodge-podge,” she said. In the end, the development variance permit was approved, with Beardsell opposed.