Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: April 29, 2010 6:00 PM
Duelling bureaucracy is holding up a development at the Vernon Airport. B.C.’s Ministry of Environment wants trees along Vernon Creek as part of a hangar/residence project, but the federal Transport Canada is opposed to vegetation being planted at the airport. “We’re being asked to plant trees and shrubs and that will conflict with aviation safety,” said John Tigchelaar, president of the city-owned Captain Bailey Way Corporation, which is overseeing the development. A biologist suggested trees that could grow to 120-feet in height. Not only would that impact the airspace of planes, it would create wildlife habitat. “We don’t want any tall trees that could increase birds or animals at the airport,” said Tigchelaar. “We want to do something but we want to err on the side of safety.” The corporation has been trying to resolve the issue for a year, and that has led to delays when it comes to construction of the project. “We’re behind. We hope to be turning dirt this year but it all depends on this,” he said of landscaping. It’s hoped that a meeting will be held with the Ministry of Environment soon. We believe there is a medium ground that can be reached,” said Kim Flick, the city’s manager of planning and building services. The corporation wants to proceed with 10 residential units and hangars that would then be sold.
No comments:
Post a Comment