Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: March 25, 2010 6:00 PM
The City of Vernon is drawing sharp criticism over long-term planning in one neighbourhood. About 85 people attended a public hearing on the draft Bella Vista West neighbourhood plan Monday, and most of them accused the city of ignoring them. “It’s like the planning department paid lip service to the community’s input,” said resident David Bissett. “I’m stunned we’re discussing the same draft plan my neighbourhood indicated six months ago was unacceptable,” added Catherine Cookson. Some also wondered why the public hearing was held at the Schubert Centre and not at the Deer Park Restaurant in the Tronson Road area. “We feel disadvantaged that we had to come into town to speak to our elected officials,” said Lew Rossner, president of the Phoenix Estates strata. Specific concerns arose about a developer’s plans for upwards of 134 apartment-style units on three acres. “It does not meet the current or future community needs,” said Isabel Furtado, Lakeview Estates Community Association president. Among the concerns are the area doesn’t have sufficient services to handle that density and considerable traffic will be created on Bella Vista Road. “Development within the form and character of the neighbourhood is the issue at hand,” said Cookson, adding that single-family units are preferred.
Rossner suggests the city swap land with the developer so a high-density development can be built downtown and the Bella Vista site can become park. “We don’t want to stand in the way of reasonable development. Our desire was to find compromise but we were never contacted by your staff,” he told council. Speakers also claimed the neighbourhood plan goes against the city’s OCP because it would encourage vehicle use and there are no calls for a commercial area with amenities. “We have an excellent OCP and it’s not being applied here,” said Jim Bodkin. With the public hearing now closed, council cannot accept any new information on the Bella Vista West neighbourhood plan until the proposal comes before it for consideration.
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