By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: July 29, 2008
A city-owned development corporation insists it has nothing to hide. Representatives from the Hesperia Development Corporation addressed questions from Vernon council and the Vernon Taxpayers Association Monday about plans for 69 acres on Longacre Drive and Apollo Road. “We do not have a full-blown development plan for this site. We are not keeping anything secret,” said Ken Stewart, chairman of the board appointed by the city. The taxpayers association has raised concerns that the corporation is meeting in private, but Stewart insists that is just how land issues are handled. “When there is something to deal with, there will be public meetings,” he said. Because the city is the corporation’s lone shareholder, Stewart says his board can only provide full disclosure on some matters, such as the land appraisal, to the city. There is a budget for consultants, such as planners, and the five directors receive a fee for their duties. “There are rates established, but it’s nominal,”* said Stewart, who would not go into details. The goal for the 69 acres is for 1,000 homes, with half of them for people with moderate incomes and the remainder for those with higher income levels.
“Our target is median family incomes in the $55,000 to $100,000 range a year,” said Stewart. Stewart believes the site would be desirable for families because of its proximity to schools, beaches and parks. Stewart added that the focus is not on low-income housing. “We will not be subsidizing any of the units unless the city instructs us to subsidize.” While the city currently owns the land through the corporation, the property will ultimately be sold to developers. “We have no favourite contractors,” said Stewart, adding that the mandate of the corporation is to make money for the city. “We will not proceed, if it’s not profitable.”
Some residents have expressed concern about the possible scope of the development, but Stewart says the plan is for about 15 units per acre, and there would be a buffer to preserve adjacent farm land. “It’s medium density. There is nothing in our tentative plans that exceeds four storeys.” There were plans for a public presentation this summer and a public hearing on rezoning this fall, but that timeline has been delayed because of market trends. But Stewart is adamant that the public will be involved. “People can support or attack our plan as they see fit,” he said.
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*The original cost flow projections for this project can be found here. In 2007 the Directors fees were projected to be $11,000 and 2008 were to be $25,000. There appear to be 4 non political directors at this time. The 2007 financial statements of Hesperia will provide the actual amounts paid out. Hopefully the City will post these statements on their website shortly?
5 comments:
I read an article sometime ago in the Morning Star about a "volunteer group" of community minded professionals getting land and using those donations for creating viable opportunities to provide affordable housing. Why, doesn't this council see the benefit of furthering such private and partnerships which will no doubt save tax payers money and better the community. That Land Trust group has shown remarkable vision and leadership, one has to ask, why are they not involved in this development?
Who are the Land Trust group?
Who has appointed them??
Who do they represent?
Land trust group or Vernon Land Corp or the Hesperia
They all share one common denominator--
SECRECY!
THAT will change next election and Vernon's Business will be conducted in THE OPEN AS PER THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPREME COURT OF CANADA!!
I read with interest the last person to comment...Maybe that is part of the problem. We,as part of society are too quick to be critical and don't take enough time to educate ourselves before we speak...If the reader would have taken time to do a little research he /she would've known that the Land Trust is a "not for Profit" group of community minded professionals who "volunteered" (not appointed) to assist the greater good of the community in providing affordable housing to the marginalized portion of our community.
There is a definitely a difference between the Vernon Land Corp and Hesperia when compared to the Vernon and Community Land Trust whose website can be found at http://www.communitylandtrust.ca/directors.php
Directors are recruited from those interested in Volunteering their services and have a purpose of providing 'affordable housing'.
It is my understanding that the City has provided them with a piece of City owned land at 4005 Pleasant Valley Road and the Society will be building units of Affordable Housing on this land. (See Council minutes of Jan 14, 2008 declassified motions) The land will be developed in a partnership between the Woman's Transition House Society and the the District Community Land Trust.
These group have no Direct ties to the City.
No we are a society in Vernon it would appear that consists of small
'IN' groups that are self appointed and help themselves to our tax dollars without as a by your leave!
They seem to believe they 'know best' and that is why accountability transparency and open governance has been of concern to a body no less august than the Supreme court of Canada - and stated clearly!
A body of opinion that can certainly not be accused of being'too quick to criticise'!!
The way public affairs are conducted in Vernon with our tax dollars is outrageous
Running a 'non profit' does not mean that abuses will not occur and that is why 'The public trust' must be front and centre in all matters that involve tax monies and taxpayers' business
'Professionals' who make their living out of Real Estate should not be the deciders about Public Real Estate directions in our community nor should they be 'on the inside'!!
That is why we have a system of electing seven of our peers to protect us from 'special 'professional interests' and others by using common sense
It is a trust between the people and those elected to 'serve'--the interests of all of the people at all times!
And those on the Land Trust
were 'appointed '!
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