Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Monday, 27 June 2011 18:32
Some local residents say they want to save an area of the Commonage from development. A land owner is planning to subdivide several hundred acres of land opponents say is in a sensitive ecosystem. While Bob Armstrong already has the correct zoning to legally proceed with development, he needs city approval to re-size one lot on Chum Road, which council has deferred to find out its options. Dave Smith from the Ribbons of Green Society, one of 11 speakers with concerns to council on Monday, hopes for a compromise allowing some land to be developed, but large parts preserved as park. "That's the kind of conclusions we've seen in quite a few large acreage developments around Vernon in the past, and I think that would be much more suitable than basically taking this beautiful area and carving it up completely." Smith says there may be environmental reviews and water issues that also slow down the developer. Opponent Victor Cumming says its in a sensitive eco-system that should be preserved, and he's pleased council has deferred its decision. "We know there's legal limitations. We're not naive in terms of that. I think it's just really important that council begin to look at what is really happening with the Commonage in general, and you can tell by the reaction of the mayor, that there's more a brew with other properties that are close to there." Speaker Sharon Lawrence called it wrong and immoral, while Linda Kennedy called that natural area a "jewel in Vernon's crown." One resident, Jim Kennedy, spoke in favour of it, urging opponents to put their money together and buy it, if they want to save it. Councillor Patrick Nicol says council only found out about the variance proposal just before the weekend.
