Community garden to be taken over for parking

A proposed parking lot for the social housing campus at 453 Winnipeg St. and 432 Wade Ave. was approved by Penticton city council Tuesday.

Built in the 1970s, the campus was originally operated by the Penticton and District Society for Community Living and, at one time, was partly owned by BC Housing and Interior Health. BC Housing has since transferred ownership of the entire complex and will relocate its regional office, currently at 280 Nanaimo Ave., to the location of the current leisure centre.

Due to the staff relocation, additional parking will be needed. The current site of a community garden will be turned into a parking area with trees and landscaping. At present, 10 gardeners from the complex are using the space, but they have been promised relocation to an area with raised beds, closer to the building. Although smaller, BC Housing officials said it will be more practical for users, many of whom are elderly.

A handful of residents made emotional pleas to council Tuesday evening, and said there were concerns about soil quality.

It was suggested that the decision be delayed several weeks in order to obtain more information. Coun. Andre Martin noted that BC Housing is anxious to relocate and a decision was in the best interest of all involved.

City planner Blake Laven said he was satisfied with the result of an environmental assessment of the soil quality.

“This is an issue for legal counsel and not city council,” Coun. Max Picton said, noting many of the concerns were landlord/tenant issues and not the responsibility of council.

After more than an hour of public consultation and debate, council approved the zoning by a 4-3 vote with Martin, Picton, Helena Konanz and Judy Sentes in favour and Mayor Andrew Jakubeit, Campbell Watt and Tarik Sayeed opposed.