BX-Silver Star seeks annexation redress

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: February 20, 2009 4:00 PM

One politician suggests his area should be financially compensated if properties are annexed out of it. Three properties in the BX-Silver Star electoral area have applied to join the City of Vernon, and director Mike Macnabb insists that could affect his jurisdiction’s budget and the ability to provide services. “Area C is losing property and the city is gaining property,” he said. “Area C should receive some (compensation) for losing the property.” While these are just three individual properties on Pottery Road and 15th Street, Macnabb points out that annexation applications occur frequently and when combined, there can be a substantial collective impact financially. “They are ongoing,” he said of proposed annexations.

However, Vernon Mayor Wayne Lippert disagrees with Macnabb’s approach. “He should be looking at a cost savings because it’s property you no longer have to cover,” said Lippert. Macnabb also suggests that the three properties in the Pottery Road area could lead to sprawl if they join Vernon. “Does the city have an obligation to accept this annexation or can they say no?” he said. Lippert, though, says that the city must follow an annexation process established by provincial legislation. “A property owner has the right to apply to do so (annexation),” he said, adding that the three lots in question are within the city’s ultimate long-term boundary. “We will not support taking it out of the Agricultural Land Reserve to discourage someone coming in and taking it out to build in the ALR.”