Peachtree is just too big for town

Dear editor: Are those opposed to the five-storey glass tower approved for Peachland's lakeshore really CAVErs (Daily Courier; Jan 16th)? The label is meaningless in this case, as many of the opponents have a history of supporting reasonable development elsewhere. The existing plan calls for low-rise buildings by the lake and high-rise by the highway, the additional height given to the Peachtree building will undermine that transition. If you have five storeys at the front, the result will be no development at the back. Approving the Peachtree building actually works against the orderly redevelopment of Peachland's downtown area.

I did say that the vast majority of those who attended the council meeting were respectful, but it is true that a few people were quite emotional and spoke out of turn. It is also true that, as the seating area was inadequate, many people who do not attend these meetings regularly were confused about what was happening.

With respect to the OCP, it stands for official community plan not occasional community plan. It is a quasi-legal document that is the vision for the future and the basis of land purchases by developers. The province requires extensive public consultation before it is approved. The local government act dictates that detailed zoning must conform to the OCP. It is true that the courts try to support the decisions of elected officials but rezoning that is in direct conflict with the OCP is rejected by the courts.

The extra two floors approved for the Peachtree building will add about $6 million in additional revenue and a substantially higher profit margin. In Vancouver, and even in Kelowna, a developer who wants increased building height beyond the OCP, has to give something in return. Councils cannot sell zoning but they can ask for contributions for such things as park space, as part of the deal. Peachland council didn't ask for anything in return for this “gift.”

If, as Derek Bunce suggests, the silent majority in Peachland support this building, all the developer has to do is wait until after the election in October when his plans will get the support of the newly-elected council. The reality is that the developer will try to build the five-storey structure as fast as possible because he knows that it is very likely that the new council will not support his building. Eric Hall Peachland