Dear Editor.
It has now been a year since the Banks Crescent development was first presented to Council, and 19 months since the developer made his application.
I am all for public engagement but this seems more like public torture.
We have received numerous studies from the developer, reviews of these studies by staff (and other professionals) and now us taxpayers are going to fund a review of the reviews on the fish hatchery water source.
It doesn’t seem like we are any closer to a resolution than we were a year ago.
This controversial development proposal is pitting neighbour against neighbour, husband against wife, and consumer against retailer.
It is causing damage to the fabric of Summerland that we all love so much.
The issue has not changed. Do we want a very large development in a small residential neighbourhood that will bring huge investment, large tax revenue, lots of jobs and upgraded infrastructure…or not?
What is council waiting for?
There will be no silver bullet, no definitive study or information. This is a difficult decision that council must make and the sooner the better.
The community cannot get on with the healing process until Council either approves the development or sends the developer packing.
We are now one year away from the next municipal election. This matter will likely become a political football so proper decision making will be left in the dust.
Council should call for a public hearing at their next meeting and then make a decision.
Whatever council decides will be better than the angst they are causing by prolonging this difficult decision.
I am sure the residents in the Latimer Avenue neighbourhood have much better things to do than attend every council meeting for the last 12 months ensuring their voices are heard.
Make a decision already.
Ian McIntosh
Summerland