Attempts to prevent future development in the Commonage aren’t being embraced at city hall. The North Okanagan Natural Areas Preservation Committee asked Vernon council Monday to initiate a land use plan for the Commonage and to bring zoning for the area in line with the rest of the city. However, Coun.
Buffy Baumbrough says that while preservation of the area is ideal, the reality is that private property rights must be considered. “I am not entirely convinced what they are proposing will address their concerns,” she said of NONAP. “Even if we go to city zoning, property owners can still subdivide.” NONAP is upset that council recently agreed to issue a development variance permit for a 28-lot subdivision on 242 hectares near Chum Road. It includes one 80.9-hectare lot. Under existing zoning, which dates back to when the area was still part of the regional district, rural subdivision is permitted even without the variance permit. NONAP says that council’s recent decision on the 28-lot subdivision prompted its calls for action for the remainder of the Commonage, which includes grasslands and wildlife habitat. “Our major concern is the future of the area known as the Commonage,” said Rod Drennan, spokesperson. Drennan says an area plan would determine long-term land uses, while there is a need to abandon regional district zoning and bring the area in compliance with city zoning. “We want an open and effective public process,” he said. Discussions have been held between NONAP and city staff. “We discussed the official community plan as it stands and zoning that may differ from official community plan designations,” said planner Dale Rintoul of the difference between zoning and land use designation. Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe is concerned about the perception NONAP may create about city hall. “We are committed to protecting sensitive areas and we understand the values of the Commonage,” she said, adding that the 28-lot subdivision will be rural in nature and consist of large acreages. “The public had an opportunity to purchase the property and the public decided at the time it didn’t have enough value to buy. Now, we’re being told it has value but now it’s private land.”
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Don Quixote Note: The last item on the afternoon Agenda was passed unanimously:
That Vernon Bylaw 3843 (1992) -Vernon Subdivision and Development Services Bylaw. be amended as to Water and Sanitary Sewer Minimum levels as shown on Schedule A - Level of Service (Table A.1) to make all Zones within the jurisdiction of the City (either City Zones or NORD zones) consistent in the minimum requirement for CWS (Community Sewer System) and CWS (Community Water System).
That staff bring back a report to Council on possibility, legality and ramifications of such a bylaw amendment. (sic)
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This proposed bylaw amendment would in effect require that all zones within the City Boundaries require the provision of
Community Water and Community Sewer. Presently only the A2 Zone in the Agricultural Sector requires Community Water. (see present table).
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