Petition sets sights on views

By Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star Published: May 13, 2012 1:00 AM
An effort is underway to protect the Kalamalka Lake views in Coldstream. Residents are being urged to sign a petition and come voice their concerns at Monday’s council meeting at 6 p.m. Council is anticipated, at the meeting, to vote to stick with existing regulations and not provide additional protection for residents whose views could be impacted by development or expansion of neighbouring homes. “Coldstream council have decided not to protect residents’ views in Coldstream,” said Karen and Tony Stothers Dawson, residents who have been fighting to protect views. Since much of their own view was lost, the Stothers Dawsons have started a petition at https://www.surveymonkey.com /s/Coldstreamviews (which currently has more than 30 signatures). They are also urging Coldstream residents to come out to Monday’s council meeting to let local politicians know they want their views protected. The issue applies mostly to Middleton Mountain, Kalview, Long Lake Estates, Priest Valley/Kidston and Coldstream Valley Estates. “If views are not protected Coldstream residents will have no recourse if their view is taken away by a developer or flipper who buys a neighbouring property to build a monster house or expand a house by adding another level,” said the Stothers Dawsons. Other B.C. municipalities are grappling with this issue and several, including Lake Country and the District of North Vancouver have changed their bylaws to protect residents from the problem. The Coldstream couple suggests that additions, alterations or replacement houses on lots smaller than one acre be limited to .5 metres higher than the original building. “If this provision was in the bylaws and someone wanted to change an existing house to make it more than .5 metres higher than the original building they would need to apply for a Development Variance Permit (this procedure requires that neighbours be notified and given a chance to respond).”