Kept open mind on Banks Cres.
Dear Editor: I live on Solly Road in the neighbourhood that will be affected if the Banks Crescent development becomes a reality. My initial opposition to this project was based on its proximity to my home and on the information provided to me by the people who came by with a petition.
I have since spent some time trying to educate myself on this proposal. I attended the public open house held on Jan. 16 and the public information presentation held on Jan. 19. I have read every letter submitted to council by the residents of Summerland.
I have read most of the reports on the District’s website, and all of the information on the Summerlanders for Sensible Development website. I have read much of the OCP, the cultural plan and the Lower Town Strategic Plan.
A lot of good people have put a lot of time and effort into researching this proposal and exposing the flaws in it. Still, I can see the validity in both sides of the argument.
Summerland could certainly use a project to bring jobs to the community and tax revenues, but at what cost?
I didn’t see a lot of support for the project from the letters submitted. I didn’t see a vision for a development of this size in the OCP, the cultural plan, the agricultural plan or any other plans that were laboured over by our good citizens to map a future for our community. A future that would embody the spirit and heritage of Summerland.
All the reasons against this proposal have been elaborated on by many others: the risk to the trout hatchery’s water supply; the rezoning and loss of viable agricultural land to high density residential; the narrow, steep access roads; the poor access to downtown for the residents; the questionable need for this kind of senior’s housing; the surrounding red-zones; etc., all valid reasons for concern.
Tonight I took my dog for a walk. We circled the Bristow Valley from the lakeshore to Bristow Road and I tried to envision several six-storey condo buildings in that beautiful little gem of a valley and it made me sad. At the same time I tried to envision the same large scale development in the middle of any residential area in Summerland or in the middle of Prairie Valley or Garnet Valley. It doesn’t make any sense to me.
I submit to you mayor and council a project of this scope and size does not belong in this neighbourhood and perhaps not in any neighbourhood in Summerland.
Cameron M. Bond
Summerland