Seniors’ housing complex rejected

Majority of Summerland council votes against proposed Banks Crescent project

SUMMERLAND — Summerland council gave thumbs down to the proposed Banks Crescent development in a split vote at a special meeting Tuesday evening.

In a 5-2 vote, council defeated the motion to give third reading to the OCP amendment and rezoning application required for the project to proceed.

Mayor Peter Waterman and Coun. Janet Peak were the two supporters.

Size, location and potential impact on the aquifer and Summerland Trout Hatchery were among the main reasons five councillors voted against the motion.

“I truly tried to keep an open mind and made up my mind at 5:45 p.m. today that I cannot support this development,” said Coun. Richard Barkwill. “I cannot see my way to 415 units at this spot.”

The meeting started at 6:30 p.m. in the Summerland arena with approximately 200 people in attendance.

As most recently presented, the development would have consisted of five six-storey buildings constructed over three levels of underground parking.

“I believe we can do better than this,” Coun. Erin Carlson said.

Density of the development, continuing opposition by the Freshwater Fisheries Society, which operates the trout hatchery, and loss of agricultural-zoned land were among the reasons Carlson voted against the motion.

“The scope and location are not good for Summerland. I would welcome other more suitable developments,” Coun. Erin Trainer said.

She also said that the many residents accused of being NIMBYs had concerns that were also valid for the community at large.

“Local people will not be able to afford these units. What we need is something more affordable,” said Coun. Doug Holmes.

“I’ve never had an answer as to why it has to be so big. The largest condo development in Summerland is about 30 units. It would be like going from pee wee hockey to the NHL,” he said.

Holmes also pointed out that in the public hearing held Monday, almost all of the local residents opposed the development while most of those who spoke in favour were from Surrey.

The headquarters of the developer, the Lark Group, are in Surrey.

“Lark did not meet the requirements of the FFBC (regarding the identification of a contingency water supply),” Coun. Toni Boot said.

“They also said they would stop construction if turbidity in the water occurred. What would happen next?” Boot asked.

She also said that Banks Crescent would be high-end and exclusive, not affordable.

“Agriculture is our history, our asset. It (the site of the proposed development) is zoned agriculture and is being farmed,” Boot added.

Both Waterman and Peake emphasized the potential financial benefits of the development, their faith in the various engineering reports related to the aquifer protection strategy proposed by Lark and the need for seniors’ housing and health care.

Regarding the trout hatchery, Waterman said, “As far as I am concerned, they haven’t really looked after themselves.”

He was referring to sophisticated turbidity monitoring equipment that he thought the hatchery should have installed.

“It is very sad for it to be turned down,” Peake said.

Council’s decision came on the heels of a public hearing held Monday on this controversial issue, which has increasingly divided the community for close to two years.

More than 500 people attended the hearing, at which 80 spoke.