By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: December 09, 2008
A controversial traffic change on Vernon’s East Hill is back on the agenda again. On Monday, Coun. Patrick Nicol put council on notice that he wants a debate early in the new year about the proposed roundabout for 32nd Avenue and Pleasant Valley Road. “In tough economic times, perhaps we need to look at it again,” said Nicol. A majority of the previous council decided June 9 to proceed with the $310,000 roundabout as a way of improving safety at the intersection despite there being strong public opposition. Nicol attempted to raise the issue in August, but staff indicated it had been more than 30 days since council voted on the roundabout and legislation didn’t allow for it to be revisited. Staff also stated money had already been spent on planning and engineering. However, it appears that the issue can be resurrected this time because a new council was sworn into office Dec. 1.
“This council is not held to the decisions of the previous council,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert, who has opposed the roundabout along with Nicol. Nicol’s call for a debate among the new council is a result of the city receiving a letter from Karl Denk, a dentist, whose office sits at the intersection. “He’s encouraging the new council to revisit the issue and to encourage further public comment,” said Nicol. In his letter, Denk questions the process that led to city hall moving ahead with the roundabout. “The democratic process and the civic obligations of the previous council to represent the public have been superseded by the interest of the Vernon engineering and planning department,” he said, adding that most of the people at a May 22 public input session spoke against the work.“A petition of over 290 signatures against the project was conveniently neglected on a technicality. This is Big Brother bullying at its best and has absolutely nothing to do with civic democracy.” Denk says he hasn’t been consulted about the potential impact of the roundabout on his business, including the loss of on-street parking. “Parking is very hard to find in this area and your engineering department simply decides to take it away without any consultation or consideration to the vitality of our clinic. This is a terrible, anti-business attitude,” he said.Denk wraps up his letter by asking for a chance to state his case before the new council. “I absolutely oppose and resent the way this whole project was planned with little or no input and shoved down the public’s throat,” he said.
Coun. Buffy Baumbrough, who voted in favour of the roundabout, is not willing to change her mind. “I continue to support it. It was brought to council because of the high number of injury accidents there,” she said. “Greenhouse gas emissions are also reduced by roundabouts.”
To date, $20,000 has been spent on engineering and planning for the roundabout as well as on professional fees related to property negotiations.
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Councillors on the spot By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star
The plug may be pulled on an East Hill roundabout before construction can even start. On Monday, Patrick Nicol notified his council colleagues that he wants to reopen the issue of a roundabout on Pleasant Valley Road at 32nd Street. It's something he tried to do in August but was shot down because it had been more than 30 days since a majority of the then-council approved the project and legislation didn't allow for it to be revisited. It was also pointed out that money was already being spent on engineering and planning. However, the situation changed Dec. 1 when a new council was sworn into office. Apparently the new group of politicians aren't bound to the actions of their predecessors, and they could chart a different course completely.
And Nicol may have numbers on his side this time around because three of the four officials that raised their hands for the roundabout June 9 are no longer in office. That leaves only Buffy Baumbrough to defend a decision that many residents were opposed to (Nicol and Wayne Lippert voted against the plans, while Jack Gilroy — who disagrees with the traffic circle — was absent). So with Nicol, Gilroy and Lippert not backing off their positions, only one other vote is required to throw the roundabout off course. And that could happen depending on the views of the three new councillors.
"Because construction was delayed at least until spring we will have an opportunity to see any safety concerns and accident stats during winter driving conditions," said Bob Spiers."I will be willing to listen to all the public and staff input with an open mind." Similar responses also came from Shawn Lee and Mary-Jo O'Keefe. "I need the background information on why the city thought it would be a benefit. Does the benefit outweigh the concerns of the residents?" said O'Keefe.
And there may be some grey area to wade through as city staff insist there is a safety problem at the intersection, while many residents, including Gilroy, deny there are many accidents. "A four-way stop there works just fine," he said. What isn't in question, though, is public sentiment about a roundabout. Whether it's been at official input sessions or a 296-name petition, those against a roundabout have been far more numerous than those in favour. The issue even became a focal point during the civic election campaign. “They don’t seem to listen to anyone. No one wants a roundabout on East Hill and they shoved it through any way,” said Peter Greening, who unsuccessfully ran for councillor.
Considering the current economic uncertainty and the need for everyone to tighten their belts, is it necessary for the city to spend $80,000 on a project nobody wants and there's some question as to whether it will actually enhance safety? Could that money not go to a more essential initiative or be pocketed, reducing the burden on taxpayers? But of course nothing in life is simple so we should point out that about $20,000 has already been spent on engineering, planning and property negotiations. Is it a good use of taxpayers' money to mothball work that's already started? Ultimately, all of the incumbent council members aren't willing to climb off their soapboxes, so the fate of the roundabout will rest with those fresh, new faces in chambers. And when you consider the strong opinions that exist in the community, the pressure on them will be intense.
