Post by John Zeger on Aug 6, 2005 9:45:52 GMT -5
CKOV has a news item on its website dated Fri., Aug 5, 2005 "North End Property Bought for Expanded Park Land: The City of Kelowna has purchased the 2.42 acre (0.98 hectare) property at 825 Walrod Street in the city's north end. Located at the corner of Okanagan Boulevard and Jones Street, the property has been purchased from School District 93 ... The entire property is slated for park development to satisfy the needs of the area due to increasing densification. ... The property was bought for $905,000."
Now I love the idea of the city acquiring more parkspace, but have a look at the reason the city is doing it -- "to satisfy the needs of the area due to increasing densification." It seems we are on a treadmill here and that we are not making any progress. The last time I checked Kelowna had a mediocre amount of parkspace per capita placing it on par with cities such as Regina, Sask. As city council is encouraging greater densification, the need for more parkspace increases putting us ever deeper in the hole. For example, city council approved the Clifton-Highlands development allowing 1200 new residential units created there in an area that was previously approved for only 400 units (to the protests of area residents) so that the city can acquire more parkspace in order to satisfy the needs created by higher densities. Another example is the Cameron/Guisichan development where densities have been increased uncomfortably again to the chagrin of area residents in order to acquire another acre of land from the developer for an addition to Guisichan Heritage Park. Does this all sound like we are on a treadmill to you too? And this densification is costing us taxpayers. It's time to get off this treadmill and the way off is to stop the radical densification of our city.
Now I love the idea of the city acquiring more parkspace, but have a look at the reason the city is doing it -- "to satisfy the needs of the area due to increasing densification." It seems we are on a treadmill here and that we are not making any progress. The last time I checked Kelowna had a mediocre amount of parkspace per capita placing it on par with cities such as Regina, Sask. As city council is encouraging greater densification, the need for more parkspace increases putting us ever deeper in the hole. For example, city council approved the Clifton-Highlands development allowing 1200 new residential units created there in an area that was previously approved for only 400 units (to the protests of area residents) so that the city can acquire more parkspace in order to satisfy the needs created by higher densities. Another example is the Cameron/Guisichan development where densities have been increased uncomfortably again to the chagrin of area residents in order to acquire another acre of land from the developer for an addition to Guisichan Heritage Park. Does this all sound like we are on a treadmill to you too? And this densification is costing us taxpayers. It's time to get off this treadmill and the way off is to stop the radical densification of our city.