The future of Summerland’s controversial Urban Growth Strategy will be decided by members of municipal council, not through a referendum process.
Responding to a question at the town hall meeting on Monday evening, Mayor Janice Perrino said a referendum is not used to determine the outcome of a growth plan.
She added that the last two Official Community Plans, in 1996 and 2008, were decided by those at the council table, not through a referendum process.
The proposed Wharton Street development and the proposed Summerland Hills Golf Resort development were also council decisions.
Including a referendum question on growth at the upcoming municipal election in November would not be appropriate, she said.
“It’s never one issue that should get a person elected,” she said.
Municipal administrator Tom Day said a referendum is required when borrowing money over a five-year period if the borrowing is not approved by the Alternate Approval Process.