SUMMERLAND REVIEW THE VOICE OF OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1908
VOLUME
67
-
ISSUE
NO.
10
•
S U M M E R L A N D,
WWW.SUMMERLANDREVIEW.COM
B.C.
•
T H U R S D AY,
MARCH
6,
2014
WHAT’S INSIDE:
Signs have been set up at parks and beaches, declaring public spaces to be bully-free zones.
Heritage farm
Summerland’s oldest farm is now in the hands of the fifth generation.
Page 7
Stamps donated
A stamp collection has been donated to the Summerland Museum.
Page 9
Jazz combo
Summerland musicians excelled in a recent jazz competition in Idaho.
Page 11
Hockey action
YOUR SMILE My opinions may have changed, but not the fact that I am right.
PA G E S
•
$1.15
On ice
John Arendt Summerland Review
Silvie Cormillot demonstrates her skating skills at the Summerland Skating Club’s World Festivals of the Travelling Suitcase on Sunday afternoon. Skaters of all ages took part in the event, which marks the end of the season for the club.
INCLUDING
Summerland’s proposed Urban Growth Plan received strong opposition at a public hearing on Monday evening. The hearing in the Arena Banquet Room drew a packed house as more than 40 people voiced their concerns about the plan. Others had earlier sent written submissions, the majority in opposition to the proposal. The Urban Growth Plan calls for the removal of 80.34 hectares of land within the Agricultural Land Reserve close to the core of the community. In exchange, 91.7 hectares in the Prairie Valley area would be added to the land reserve. “There is no need to remove prime ALR land,” said Kimberly Westgate. “There is land outside the ALR which could be developed.” She added that hill-
sides, not valley bottom land, should be developed. Don Gayton, a professional agrologist, said the need for additional growth is overstated. He said the average selling time of a house in Summerland is around 130 days, while in the rest of the Okanagan Valley, the selling time is 90 days. The vacancy rates for homes and condominium units in Summerland are much higher than the provincial average, he added. John Barber said a referendum is needed before adopting the proposed growth plan. “I feel there is more to lose than to gain,” he added. Keith Carlson, chief executive officer of the Okanagan Plant Improvement Corporation, said agriculture is an important part of the community. Over the years, fruit varieties from Summerland have gained a strong reputation worldwide. “Houses can be built anywhere; farm land is valuable,” he said. See EXCHANGE Page 3
Petition tops 2,600 signatures A petition opposed to the proposed Urban Growth Plan received more than 2,600 names, including 1,200 from Summerland residents. The petition was presented to municipal council at the public hearing on Monday evening. Erin Carlson, organizer of the Stop the Swap campaign, said the level of opposition to the proposed land exchange
must be taken seriously. “It will be very embarrassing for Summerland if this goes through,” she said of the proposed land exchange. The proposed growth plan calls for the removal of around 80 hectares of land from the Agricultural Land Reserve near the core of the community. In exchange, around 90 hectares in the Prairie Valley area will be added to the
land reserve. Since the plan was presented in early September, a significant level of opposition has been shown. “I haven’t even knocked on a single door to get any of those signatures,” Carlson said. From April to November, 2013, numerous open houses, workshops and meetings were held to gather input for the
GST
Growth strategy resisted by John Arendt
Page 8
Page 12
16
Majority at hearing opposed to Urban Growth Plan
Bully-free signs
The Summerland Steam have had some tough competition in the Junior B hockey playoffs.
•
proposed growth plan. In addition, information was mailed out to every home in the community. Around 1,300 people participated in the various consultation sessions. Municipal officials have stated that the plan is the most extensive public exercise held in Summerland. However, Carlson said the plan which was presented does not reflect the
wishes of the public. “We’ve been misrepresented,” she said. “This isn’t what the people supported.” The petition, along with comments and written submissions presented to municipal council, will be considered as municipal council makes a decision on the second and third readings of the growth plan bylaw on March 10.