Vernon’s new OCP nears completion

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: September 25, 2008

Vernon’s new official community plan is almost a done deal. Council gave third reading to the revised 2008 OCP package Monday and it’s anticipated that the document will be adopted Oct. 14. “It’s not perfect but it’s a good document,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham, adding that it tackles matters such as hillside development and pressing social issues. The OCP will govern land use decisions for the community, and the content within it was a result of extensive work by city staff and consultants, as well as numerous public consultations over the last two years. “I’ve never seen the amount of input,” said Cunningham. “There will always be those who see themselves as winners and losers in the process but there is so much substance in this document.”Cunningham has been pushing to have the proposed OCP finalized before November’s civic election. “If we don’t adopt it before Nov. 15, all that hard work could go out the window. Single-issue candidates could derail it,” she said.

Lone opposition to the OCP proceeding came from Coun. Barry Beardsell, who is concerned the document doesn’t include preservation of a western bypass corridor. “I can hold up my head in the future and say, ‘I was not responsible for terrible congestion,’” he said. Beardsell also believes the OCP does not refer to parks enough, doesn’t provide a clear future for the airport and doesn’t encourage mobile home parks as a source of affordable housing. In speaking to the media after Monday’s council meeting, Beardsell reiterated his objections to the OCP moving ahead. “This is the worst council I’ve seen since I moved to Vernon and that was 1973,” he said.

A new aspect to the document is the city only considering OCP amendments and annexation applications once a year instead of the current process which can occur at any time. “This way, you can consider the overall impact if they go forward,” said Kim Flick, planning and building services manager. Flick added that the policy was developed in response to public concerns that the OCP is undermined by such amendments and annexation applications coming forward.