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Post by John Zeger on Jul 12, 2005 11:54:49 GMT -5
The Vintage Landing Area Structure Plan passed first reading by Kelowna City Council on July 11, 2005 sending it to public hearing on August 9. Several months ago city council approved an OCP amendment to allow for the creation of an area structure plan envisaging a resort development consisting of a hotel, a wellness centre and golf course. The initial OCP amendment was very controversial with many members of the neighbourhood and overall community lining up of either side of the issue. Prior to the OCP amendment the city planning department recommended against the amendment saying the development did not fit into the city's 20 year time frame and was premature. It was narrowly approved by city council by a 5 to 4 vote. Click on "voting records" at www.saveparadise.com for council members who voted for and against the proposal. |
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Post by John Zeger on Aug 23, 2005 11:12:47 GMT -5
City council voted 5-4 on Aug. 22 to amend the Official Community Plan to allow for the Vintage Landing Area Structure Plan. In spite of objections by Councillors Cannon, Clark, Hobson, and Shepherd, the "Gang of Five" consisting of Mayor Gray and Councillors Blanleil, Day, Given, and Horning prevailed with their attitude that we should have any kind of development, anywhere, and at any cost to the community.
Citing specific objections Councillor Hobson noted that the OCP had room to accommodate significant development without using the area where Vintage Landing is to occur. Barrie Clark noted that the Vintage Landing Area Structure Plan violated the present OCP and that it was not the best use of a scarce land resource and that this land should be reserved for future development associated with an expanding UBC-Okanagan. He questioned whether the city needed yet another resort and golf course. Citing that the wellness resort wiill be used by the wealthy, Clark said, "The wealthy elite can look after themselves." Councillor Sharon Shepherd questioned whether this development would benefit the community. She also said that it was happening prematurely and did not deal with issues of environmental sustainability notably a scarcity of wter.
But the "Gang of Five" was not persuaded by these arguments. They are all proponents of so-called "smart growth" and have noted that Kelowna is running out of developable land. Having just squandered 7% of the city's developable land on this frill development, we will no doubt hear more arguments from them in the future that Kelowna has run out of land and we have no choice but to "grow up" as we can no longer "grow out" and that architectural atrocities such as Lawson Landing are justified in the name of "smart growth." I call for the defeat of the "Gang of Five" in the upcoming civic election as a first order priority.
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Post by prodevlp on Aug 28, 2005 19:29:49 GMT -5
Yee-Haw!
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Post by John Zeger on Aug 28, 2005 20:48:50 GMT -5
Was that a donkey I heard?
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