Loud applause for Peachlanders
Dear editor: Peachland council witnessed at last week’s public hearing, just how passionate the majority of Peachlanders feel that the Peachtree development should be restricted to three storeys and our official community plan should not be changed.
Some of those speaking had possibly never spoken publicly before and felt very uncomfortable doing so. However, they felt this one issue was so important they had to overcome their fear and speak. We applaud them in writing as we were not allowed to applaud them at the meeting.
It was unfortunate at the first public hearing in June, that the flooding which was at the forefront of Peachlanders’ minds at the time and faith that the council would stick to its OCP, kept many residents opposed to the Peachtree from appreciating how important it was to voice their disapproval.
This paved the way for organizations where the developer had sought approval to dominate the proceedings and express their support of the project. That appears to have led council to believe this was what the majority of Peachlanders wanted.
This was further demonstrated by Gaetan Royer citing the support of the chamber and the Rotary club in his speech last week. Now council has the benefit of hindsight which most never get and they have the chance to put things right.
Peachlanders can feel very proud they came out in force and have done all they can to defend the character and charm of this beautiful and unique town from an out-of-town developer who believes he knows what’s best for Peachland.
The research, factual information and the constructive intelligently-written submissions and letters to the editor, outlining valid reasons why we oppose this development and the change to our OCP are mightily impressive and will be on record as proof Peachlanders who opposed this are not blanket anti-development, but base their opinions on factual evidence.
A truly inspiring, informative and uplifting evening. I have never been so proud to be a Peachlander.
Gill Evans
Peachland