Ron Mattiussi's speech to the Home Builders Assn.

[John Zeger]

As reported in the Daily Courier, Director of Corporate Services Ron Mattiussi spoke to the Kelowna chapter of the Canadian Home Builder's Association on Jan. 6, 2005. From reading his comments there can be no doubt of the role of urban planners in the local growth machine which also includes builders, the chamber of commerce, and our city council. Mattiussi told the home builders exactly what they wanted to hear from their boy that the present housing boom will continue for a long time. Mattiussi didn't appear alarmed that the bulk of new housing is high end i.e., high priced, and that it is being pitched to retiring baby boomers who migrate to Kelowna from elsewhere. But then the planning department and our city council have approved one luxury condo project after another in the past year with narry a thought being given to creating more affordable housing which is desperately needed. Kelowna is becoming a city where only the wealthy can afford to live and neither Mattiussi or city council could give a fig. Mattiussi also doesn't appear concerned that the bulk of new housing created is multiple unit. If the present trend continues within 20 years there will be more multiple unit than single family dwellings in Kelowna and the family will give way to the retired couple as the dominant household type. The family has always been the corner stone of every viable community. The dominant position of the family ensures that residents have a long term personal investment in their community to see that it is not only a good place for the present generation to live but for future generations as well. The demise of the family in Kelowna will spell the end of our community and instead we will have a city of endless waves of single generation retirees with no roots here and no interest in anything other than what benefits they can get from the few years they spend here. As Mr. Mattiussi is the one responsible for this incredible lack of social vision and advises an equally myopic city council, I believe it would be in the city's best interests if he were replaced.

[John Zeger]

Hear ye! Hear ye! Read all about it! Ron Mattiussi was quoted in the Capital News (Feb. 6, 2005) saying that "
a new priority for the city is protecting the single-family neighbourhoods for families. 'That's something we are taking a serious look at,'Mattiussi says. 'Not every single family development should be viewed as a spec lot for a future apartment building. That doesn't build community. We have to be careful and try to preserve what we can.' Ironically, that may be where the former KSS site comes in. The now vacant land is a chance to save some property for family home development to keep that important mix. 'Its a good site with potential to be developed in a way to get that cross-section in there,' he says." Well as (to paraphrase Shakespeare) I would rather praise Mattiussi than condemn him, these are welcome words, Ron. (You don't suppose he takes a peek at our website now and then?) If you keep coming up with progressive thoughts like this, you may be eligible for CRCP membership some day. I think that the former KSS site would be an excellent location for family-oriented housing complete with a playground and a neighbourhood park and a generous allocation of units built as affordable housing. If anyone would like to add comments, please put them under the new heading"Former KSS Site" in the Development section.

[Marian Grimwood]

I fear that Mr. Mattiussi is speaking out of both sides of his mouth. To a private group he is still promoting the big-city highrise mentality, but to the public he wants to look like the good guy by saying we need more family housing. Which is it? If he (and City Hall) wants to be believable, he should put an immediate hold on projects like Lawson Landing, Brandt's Creek highrises, and all other high-end condo developments in the downtown area, as well as holds on McKinley Landing, Cedar Avenue, and the Boppart property.
Further, the City should stick to its policy on not allowing financial institutions to expand past a certain size if they don't have a downtown head office. This pertains to Prospera Credit Union at Orchard Park, which wants to expand. The Landmark buildings in the Kirschner Rd. area have already decimated the downtown financial area by drawing away dozens of investment firms, accountants, lawyers, dentists, etc.
And people wonder why the downtown core is faltering!!