Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: July 30, 2009 6:00 PM
Resort plans for a contentious Okanagan Landing property have been replaced by blueprints for a subdivision. Vernon council gave two readings Monday to a bylaw that would rezone 9650 Eastside Road from tourist commercial to hillside residential. If rezoning occurs, 120 single and two-family units will be built on the 25 acres. “What we will build is attainable houses people can afford,” said developer Craig Stowe. This isn’t the first time that Stowe has been before council.
In 2007, he attempted to have the former Paraiso Point campground rezoned from tourist commercial to resort residential to allow for a 100-unit project. However, considerable debate surfaced in the community and the council-of-the-day decided to delay a decision on that rezoning application until the official community plan review was done.Stowe never pursued the resort plans after that, and has now decided to construct a subdivision known as Edgepoint.“The OCP has communicated what the community wants,” he said. “The community wants small footprint houses and greenspace.”There would also be a trail system and a recreational facility with a pool and children’s play area.
But some concerns are already being raised about the proposal. “It’s like an alley and now we’re going to have more development there,” said Coun. Shawn Lee of Eastside Road. “It’s a very narrow road out there. I’m all for development on that slope but we need to look at infrastructure.” Stowe, though, says a traffic study has been done.“There is enough capacity on the road for this development,” he said.
The rezoning application will be the focus of a public hearing Sept. 14. “I want to hear what people out there feel about it,” said Coun. Bob Spiers. Coun. Jack Gilroy is quick to point out that no final decision has been made on the development and first and second reading of the bylaw is procedural. “It doesn’t mean we accept the development. It means it will go to public hearing,” said Gilroy.
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