Vernon resurrects controversial western bypass

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Jul 13, 2015 at 4:00 PM
A contentious traffic bypass is back on the books in Vernon. In a 4-3 vote Monday, city council voted to add the western bypass to the 25-year master transportation plan. "There should be some language about the protection of a western corridor," said Coun. Brian Quring. The western bypass extends from Mission Hill through Okanagan Landing to Swan Lake and would replace 32nd Street as the main highway route in Vernon. A previous council scrapped the concept in 2008 after significant public opposition. On Monday, city staff called for a bypass to be referenced in the transportation plan but it wasn't site specific. "Simply referencing it is almost throwing it away if we don't have some details. My intent is to make it more specific," said Coun. Scott Anderson of identifying the western bypass. Opposition came from Mayor Akbal Mund and Councillors Catherine Lord and Juliette Cunningham. "That (designation) will start affecting all development from now on," said Lord of the potential implication for private property along the corridor. Look for more in Wednesday's Morning Star.
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Bypass debate keeps going
by Darren Handschuh CASTANET- Jul 13, 2015 / 7:30 pm
The controversial bypass issue in the city's 25 year master transportation plan just won't go away. Vernon city council once again spent a portion of Monday's meeting debating whether to include provisions for a future city bypass in the long-range plan. The latest version of the plan was presented to city council without a provision for securing land for a possible bypass, launching another debate on the subject. Coun. Bob Spears said a bypass is not currently needed, but it seems like a good idea to protect the land should one be needed in the future. Coun. Scott Anderson agreed there should be some wording to protect a section of land for a western corridor should one be needed. However, Coun. Catherine Lord questioned the timing, noting once the wording is in place, the city would have to start protecting the corridor land. “Do we want to do that now?” Lord asked. But Anderson rebutted, “If not now, when?” Spears said if the land is protected now, it could be used as parkland or other temporary uses until a corridor is needed – if ever. “Let's just put the darn thing in the plan,” Spears implored. Coun. Juliette Cunningham, who was once opposed to the corridor plan, said after looking at the situation more closely, she now agrees it is needed because the current highway will not be able to handle an expected increase in traffic over the coming years. In the end, council passed a resolution 4-3 to look at protecting land for a corridor. Among the no votes was Mayor Akbal Mund, saying he was against putting the 2008 idea back into the plan that generated controversy due to concerns over property on the proposed route, but will abide by council's decision. But Mund said people should not worry. “It's in the plan, but that does not mean it will happen,” he said.
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Bypass Back In City's Plan
Posted on 7/13/2015 by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM
The plan for a highway bypass is back on Vernon council's radar -- even though it could still be 20 to 40 years away. Council voted 4-3 Monday to add the western bypass to the city's 25-year transportation plan. The proposed route would go through parts of Swan Lake, Mission Hill and Okanagan Landing, and faced widespread criticism before being scrapped by council in 2008. Mayor Akbal Mund says residents on the route shouldn't be concerned. "We're talking 25 years. It's in the plan, but that doesn't mean it's going to happen. It may never happen for all we know. I mean if we look back, we were discussing this ten years ago and nothing's happened," says Mund. Councillor Juliette Cunningham was against the move, saying it should be the province's responsibility. "I think it's important to make the jurisdiction that's actually going to be responsible for that to draw the line on the map," Cunningham tells Kiss FM. Councillor Catherine Lord also voted against the move, agreeing the onus to protect the corridor should be on the province, which would build and fund the route. Councillor Scott Anderson feels the city has to preserve a corridor now, and says some properties could be impacted. "Potentially as development comes on line, but that's down the road, and it's not anything drastic that's going to happen today." Councillor Bob Spiers led the Yes side, saying the city doesn't need a bypass now, but it does need to protect land for one. "If worse comes to worse, we will have a nice trail or a local road," says Spiers. The Transportation Ministry is not even considering a bypass at this point.