by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Apr 28, 2014 at 5:00 PM
Vernon politicians are divided over the community possibly getting larger. Council voted 4-2 Monday to support annexation applications for 10 properties at Silver Star and Pleasant Valley roads. Six of the property owners favour joining Vernon while four are opposed and want to remain in the BX-Swan Lake electoral area. "To annex people into the city against their will, I can't put my hand up in favour for," said Coun. Bob Spiers, who voted against the motion with Coun. Juliette Cunningham. However, the rest of council backed moving ahead with the process. "This fits with the regional growth strategy and our own official community plan," said Coun. Mary-Jo O'Keefe. It's believed development opportunities are planned for the properties. Look for more in Wednesday's Morning Star.
1 comment:
I believe that majority of council was acting in accordance with provincial policy. The applications previously supported by Council would result in the physical isolation of the four opposing properties from the rest of electoral area B. This type of isolation resulting from annexations is not permitted under provincial regulations. Therefore Council's choice was a difficult one. Ether support the entire application with four properties opposed or not support the majority of six properties in the application. Some of the seeds of this kind of conflict are sown in the inability of the city to provide sewer to individual properties outside its boundaries. I believe these piecemeal annexations are not the solution. Something more comprehensive needs to be done to address the ongoing concerns around boundaries, governance and the delivery of services particularly in electoral areas B and C which are the City of Vernon's closest unincorporated neighbours.
Cheers Shawn Lee a Vernon Taxpayer Blog
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