Opposition fails to derail tourism plan

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Feb 26, 2014 at 1:00 AM

Vernon politicians remain committed to a tourism strategy despite vocal opposition. About 35 residents attended a public hearing Monday and while most spoke against rezoning 3004 39th Avenue to allow for a tourism booth, council voted 4-1 for third reading of the zoning bylaw. “We decided in November that consolidating (tourism booths) is a good idea and being close to downtown is good for economic development,” said Coun. Brian Quiring. However, that view wasn’t supported by most of the residents in the audience. “This is a very high-density neighbourhood,” said Maurie Deaton, who owns property near the site next to Civic Arena. “You’re asking for 16,000 people and their dogs to be in their backyards. Tourism is important but so are the people in the neighbourhood.” Much of the concern revolved around traffic and the view that vehicles, including large RVs, will have a difficult time getting from the highway and on to 39th Avenue. “There’s a turning lane but no (turning) light. You can’t get off there,” said resident Roy Heinrichs, adding that vehicles waiting to turn will back up traffic. A left-turn light on 32nd Street could cost $140,000, with it being split between the city and the Ministry of Transportation. The city would be responsible for any turn lights on 27th Street. Some speakers also suggested that large RVs will be unable to make right-hand turns on to 39th Avenue from 32nd Street. Many of the speakers stated the current north and south tourism booths serve the needs of visitors and the city’s centralization plan will not work. “Tourist centres should be visible. By relocating it to 39th Avenue, it’s not visible,” said resident Eric Jackson. Mike Mattinson, who runs a bed and breakfast, is concerned visitors won’t find the new tourism centre and that will disrupt his customer flow. “Seventy per cent of my business comes from the visitors centre,” he said. “If customers don’t go into that rezoned area, we go under.” However, support for the city’s plan came from businessperson Ingrid Baron, who says the 39th Avenue site is near hotels and restaurants. “It will be a catalyst to beautify the area,” said Baron, a member of the city’s tourism advisory committee. When it came time for third reading for the rezoning bylaw, a majority of council was in favour. “A traffic study has been done and it shows there’s enough room to turn,” said Coun. Catherine Lord. Coun. Juliette Cunningham is confident visitors will find the new location. “We’ll have signage. If someone is determined to stay at a bed and breakfast in the community, they will find the tourist information centre,” she said. The only council member to vote against third reading was Bob Spiers (Mary-Jo O’Keefe was absent). “I’m getting more concerned about the economics. I’m not sure the (financial) figures are accurate,” he said. City staff have stated that centralizing tourism services will save $70,000 annually and $292,215 will be needed to renovate the building. The rezoning bylaw could be adopted by council March 10.
---------
BEYOND THE HEADLINES: Opening it up
by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Feb 26, 2014 at 1:00 AM
Vernon’s mayor learned Monday that you sometimes have to go with the flow. Rob Sawatzky tried to take a firm hand during a public hearing on rezoning property next to Civic Arena although the full house wanted to talk about the city’s proposal to relocate the visitor information centre to that neighbourhood. “We’re not here to discuss the process the tourism advisory committee pursued (in determining a location),” he told the first speaker who veered from the narrow focus of the session. But after a few more speakers, it became evident that Sawatzky had accepted reality. “I’ve kind of given up,” he said of sticking to a hearing strictly based on zoning. And that was a logical move given that the city set the tone for the discussion even before the public hearing had started. As residents filed into council chambers, they were handed a document entitled, FAQ about visitor services and the centralization of Vernon visitor centres. It explained the role of visitor centres, how the role is changing, centre usage, the challenges with the current locations, why the new site is preferred and projected cost savings. Not once in the document is there any mention of rezoning, which was supposed to be the sole intent of the public hearing. Now the simple fact that such a document was produced demonstrates that city officials are more than aware of the concerns, if not downright opposition, about shutting down the existing tourism booths and shifting visitors’ traffic patterns. They had to know Monday’s debate wouldn’t just be about shifting zoning from street-oriented commercial to public institutional. “This is the only avenue people have to express their disbelief in this location,” said Coun. Bob Spiers, the only member of council to vote against the zoning bylaw. And the discussion should go beyond just zoning as building renovations will cost $292,215, traffic on Highway 97 could be impacted and residents in that immediate neighbourhood have to adjust to the comings and goings of visitors. While the city’s tourism advisory committee endorsed the new site, was there broad consultation with the tourism sector to see what impact moving the centre may have on them? At least one tourism operator stated Monday that he had not been approached ahead of time. But perhaps the biggest hit for transparency and due process came when it was revealed that there is a sign in the 39th Avenue building stating, “Coming soon, new home of the visitor centre.” “How can you do that, when you don’t have the proposal approved?” resident Ken Cuffe asked council. In relation to the sign, staff explained that council had already given its blessing to the location in November and the rezoning is purely procedural to ensure the proper land use. That’s all true, but without rezoning, it’s been made abundantly clear that the tourism information centre would not go there. So, posting the sign before the public had its say and a final council vote was extremely premature. Perception is everything in government, and many residents left Monday’s public hearing not feeling good about the experience. “It’s already a done deal,” said one man. “We might as well just get up and go.” And get up and go is exactly what they did.