Residents irate with plans for Elks hall

By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff Nov 29 2006 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
Cummins Road residents are in disbelief after the City of Vernon resurrected plans for a social club in their neighbourhood. Just eight months after the project was defeated, a majority of council voted Monday to rezone city-owned land from parks to tourist commercial to allow for the Elks hall. “I’m troubled by this turn of events,” said Kevin Lepp, a Cummins Road resident, who thought the issue had been resolved in March. “It’s very frustrating. We’re going to fight it.” The residents’ concerns haven’t changed. “A drinking establishment at the end of a residential street is dangerous and ill-conceived,” said Lepp. That is also the view of resident Bruce Stobie. “It’s the wrong place for it. It’s crazy to put that building there,” he said. Beyond the Elks hall, part of the former Lakers Golf site would be rezoned to four-plex residential. Neighbour Joel Ellams insists that land should remain zoned as park for community use. “It’s a little disappointing we have to revisit some things,” he said. Opposition to rezoning came from Councillors Juliette Cunningham and Buffy Baumbrough. “This is still driven by the fact that we want to procure the rest of the property on the Coldstream Hotel site,” said Cunningham, of a possible land swap with the Elks for its existing clubhouse downtown. “Can't we be more innovative? In all of Vernon, can’t we find somewhere else to put the Elks club?” added Baumbrough. Coun. Patrick Nicol also expressed concern, but he ultimately backed rezoning going to a public hearing. “This one neighbourhood is being taken advantage of. It’s a real neighbourhood and I don’t know why we won’t back away from this?” he said. Coun. Jack Gilroy defended the proposal, saying the Elks hall won’t be a bad neighbour. “We need that property (current hall) where they sit and I’m in favour of moving them down there. It won’t be a hazard,” he said. Elks officials were surprised to learn that the land exchange proposal is back on the table. “I guess they still want our building. They haven’t talked to us in ages,” said Bill McDonald, exalted ruler. The city has not yet set a date for a public hearing on rezoning.