City rejects boundary process

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted May 1, 2015 at 1:00 AM
Vernon officials insist there are no further rules needed to determine the border with rural areas. On Monday, city council declined to work with the Regional District of North Okanagan to develop a municipal boundary extension protocol agreement. “We have our own agreement with the regional district now and to redo it in their terms, I’m not sure that’s what the city wants to do,” said Mayor Akbal Mund. “We have an agreement so why do we need to change it because they want to change it?” According to the city, the regional growth strategy already provides a commonly agreed upon framework for regional growth management and Vernon’s official community plan also addresses the boundary issue. “We have a protocol and we’re quite happy with it,” said Coun. Bob Spiers. Council’s decision was based on a staff recommendation. “Participating in what could be a long, time-consuming and expensive process to develop a boundary extension protocol agreement does not appear desirable,” said Kim Flick, director of community development. Mike Macnabb, RDNO director, isn’t pleased with the city’s response. “We were hoping for a more formal approach and part of that approach would be to look at the financial implications for both parties. They could educate their residents on what they are taking on (with annexation),” said Macnabb. “If we could come up with an agreement, we could provide certainty for planning for 15 or 20 years out.”