Councillors raise hands against OCP

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: August 26, 2008

Opposition to Vernon’s new official community plan is coming from within city hall. Both Councillors Barry Beardsell and Patrick Nicol voted against second reading for the amended OCP Monday. “There has to be a vision,” said Nicol, who believes the planning document doesn’t place enough emphasis on parks, recreation and culture. “When we talk about the OCP and how we’re going to have families, they need resources.” Nicol insists there should be sweeping discussions with the Greater Vernon Services Committee, the school board and service groups to look at how best to provide recreational opportunities, from sports fields to playgrounds. The OCP calls for more people living downtown, but Nicol points out that school enrolment is dropping and efforts are needed to make the central core attractive. “We need to find services that will keep people in the downtown,” he said, Nicol is also concerned that the proposed OCP isn’t specific enough when it comes to environmental protection. “When the town was turned on its head three years ago (election), it was about preserving green space.”

Beardsell continued to focus on transportation networks and isn’t impressed that the OCP calls for some roads to reach a level of congestion. “I am ashamed to be part of a community that would bring transportation to the threshold of disaster,” he said. Beardsell is still upset that the OCP doesn’t set aside land for a western bypass. “When a corridor is lost, it’s lost forever,” he said. Mayor Wayne Lippert is disappointed that some councillors are slamming the OCP after considerable staff effort, but he suggests the opposition may be the result of a recent public hearing. “It’s a councillor’s job to bring forward what they think residents want,” he said.The OCP was amended to reflect the comments received from the Aug. 11 public hearing.A second public hearing on the OCP will be held Sept. 8.