Taxpayers helping Grizzly prosper here

Dear editor: Re: Property owner wall the height of disrespect, Okanagan Weekend, A3, April 28

The property at 2753 Evergreen Drive is part of a new subdivision.

The illegal seven-metre retaining wall enhances the value of this mountainside property providing a rare flat expanse for private usage. If not in the original plans it provides a huge increase in monetary value to the owners Wendy and Wayne Wagstaff.

Sendero Canyon seems to have resolved mountain side housing problems with steep slopes and much smaller retaining walls. Whether steep banks are a safer option only time will tell.

Were Brentview’s designers or City Hall planners asleep at the switch? Subdivisions are usually strictly controlled to provide harmony in the development.

What was the responsibility of the Wagstaffs, the current owners of this property? Was this retaining wall in the original plans or was it an add on?

Subdivisions take a long time in planning and building. What were Mr. Deuschle’s responsibilities? Did he provide input to council on the planning of this development which neighbors his property?

According to the variance, the Wagstaff’s live in Okanagan Falls: Another company that comes to town for the milk and honey.

Their business is located in the industrialpPark and receives extremely favorable tax rates at the expense of Penticton’s residential taxpayers.

The Wagstaffs choose to live in Okanagan Falls thus eliminating any tax liability for Penticton recreational infrastructure costs.

(Penticton has a $400-million infrastructure deficit which the satellite communities refuse to support even though they use much of it every day and depend on this city for their livelihood.)

The cost of Penticton’s infrastructure and the responsibility of the satellite communities to contribute to the cost of services they use should be an issue in the coming civic election. Elvena Slump Penticton