By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: November 27, 2013 1:00 AM
There’s been a dramatic shift in Vernon’s approach to an economic engine. While previous politicians insisted they needed a voice at the table, current council unanimously voted Monday to pull out of the Regional District of North Okanagan’s Silver Star planning function. “It doesn’t make sense to be involved there. It’s a different jurisdiction,” said Mayor Rob Sawatzky. The function is responsible for development permits, official community plan amendments, rezonings and neighbourhood plan reviews. Much of the current development is renovations and additions. Former city officials always stated they needed to ensure Silver Star’s role in the local economy continued to move forward, but Sawatzky isn’t convinced. “The potential for useful interaction and outcomes didn’t match the investment,” he said of the city’s $75,000 contribution over three years. Council’s decision is largely fuelled by wanting to reduce spending. “There are lots of uses for $75,000 over three years,” said Sawatzky. Coun. Bob Spiers supports withdrawing from the function. “I don’t know what was accomplished by it. What did city taxpayers get out of it?” he said. To keep the function running, the city provided $27,362 a year, while $11,008 came from the five electoral areas and $3,130 from Spallumcheen. Mike Macnabb, BX-Silver Star director, isn’t concerned the city’s departure will negatively impact the function’s ability to operate as development is slow. “There will be more taxation (for remaining jurisdictions) to continue the service but it’s not very large. It’s business as usual,” he said. Macnabb isn’t surprised that Vernon doesn’t see any value to the function. “When Silver Star first started and there was a lot of building going on, everyone had a vested interest. But now that it has matured, not so much,” he sad. “It’s still an economic driver but Vernon also now has Predator Ridge, the Rise and Sparkling Hill.” All other municipalities besides Vernon and Spallumcheen have left the function over the years.
------
EDITORIAL: Council decision makes sense
Published: November 27, 2013 1:00 AM Morning Star Editorial
Vernon politicians and administrators have proven they aren’t tied to policies simply because they have been followed before. On Monday, council unanimously decided to withdraw from the regional district’s Silver Star planning function. On the surface this may not seem like much, but it’s a significant shift in direction. For years, former officials were adamant that they must have a say over development at Silver Star, largely because of its strong role in the local economy. In some cases, civic leaders wanted to ensure the regional district didn’t put up any roadblocks. And perhaps participation in the function made sense during Silver Star’s fledgling years. But times have changed. The resort community is well established and the recent economic downturn has led to a decline in development, meaning there is less for the function to oversee. “It doesn’t make sense to be involved there. It’s a different jurisdiction,” said Mayor Rob Sawatzky. And while Silver Star impacts the economy of Vernon, the same can be said for other local jurisdictions but they aren’t funding the service. One should also consider how Vernonites would feel if officials from Enderby or Cherryville were dictating land use decisions in the city. By pulling back from the function, Vernon council has indicated that it’s committed to bringing its house in order. This move, alone, will save $27,362 a year and that is money that can be put towards economic development or other initiatives right in Vernon. Many residents wanted the city’s core review to expose efficiencies and cutting off Silver Star planning is a sign they are getting their wish.
No comments:
Post a Comment