Hearing on seniors’ complex could be postponed

SUMMERLAND —The proposed seniors’ complex on Banks Crescent is without a doubt the hottest topic in Summerland these days.

It’s so hot, in fact, that Summerland staff are recommending at this evening’s meeting of Summerland council that a public hearing originally scheduled for Jan. 26 be rescheduled to a future date in order to give them and council time to prepare.

Public information sessions are slated for the evenings of Monday, Jan. 16 and Thursday, Jan. 19.

Delaying the public hearing would allow staff time to provide a summary of the input and comments at the two sessions and provide council time to consider if additional information is required from staff or the applicants in advance of the hearing.

“As community input, comments and interest on the subject applications have been significant to date, it is anticipated that a considerable volume of input may be received from the community at the public information sessions,” director of develop services Dean Strachan wrote, explaining the reason for the recommending the delay.

Staff are also recommending that the minutes of the Oct. 28, 2016 meeting of the advisory planning commission be received as information.

In a 4-3 vote the commission recommended that the Banks Crescent application be supported subject to support from the B.C. Freshwater Fisheries Society regarding the fish hatchery in Lower Town.

A previous motion to not support the application was defeated in a 4-3 vote.

Earlier in the evening Penticton Fire Chief Larry Watkinson will provide information on the deficit in funding for his department’s rescue boat and will ask council’s assistance in overcoming the shortfall.

A dispute between the developer of a subdivision at 5815 Highway 97 and the owners of the property at 1517 Johnston Street will come before council.

The developer believes the original house, now attached to a new structure, is unsightly and should be removed because it is non-compliant with regard to setback regulations.

In addition, the developer claims the house and new structure are affecting sales in his subdivision.

Staff believe the structure has legal non-conforming status.

The council meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Hall, 13211 Henry Avenue and is open to the public.