Summerland development guarantees not convincing
Editor: Summerland’s Official Community Plan for Lower Town 16.3.2.2 states that Summerland “support and enhance the historic, interpretative and educational value of the Summerland Trout Hatchery.”
When asked about slope stability and impact on the fish hatchery, the developer’s Malak Tawashi stated on CBC radio that the developer, Lark Group, is “100 per cent confident” that their studies made sure there won’t be any impact to slope stability or the trout hatchery.
How can the developer be “100 per cent confident,” and if they are so sure, and Summerland council approves this development, is Lark or council willing to sign individual legal documents to each and every surrounding homeowner that you will accept liability and pay for any damage to structures of existing homes, damage to the trout hatchery and liability and damages awarded if there is injury or loss of life?
The plan states that Lower Town is a “pedestrian-oriented area where automobiles do not dominate the character and design of the special place.”
When I asked Gary Tamblyn of New Essence HealthCare Management Services, which would operate the facility, how many more vehicles should we expect on Latimer Avenue once this development is complete, he stated “about 30-35 more vehicles per day — essentially staff only.”
The majority of this development is apartments for 55-and-over independent living.
In our beautiful small town of Summerland, the majority of seniors do lots of volunteering and socializing that averages two or more trips per day.
Watt Consulting Group Traffic Study Review estimates 1,660 additional vehicle trips per day.
How is a development consistent with the OCP when there are actually going to be conservatively 400-plus extra vehicles and if there is not, and it is actually only staff vehicles, then why do you need 2-3 levels of underground parking?
The developer has said they will have a fine-dining restaurant, daycare facility, wellness services, including massage therapy, pool, amphitheatre (performing arts venue) library, hairdressing salon and medical services on site.
They also promote active healthy living while aging in an “isolated bowl” that is a long, steep, often slippery walk from the town.
How is this development not going to detract from businesses of a similar nature that are already in the downtown core?
Donna Wahl, Summerland