Dear Editor:
Everyone looks for alternatives. We are a society fixated on finding alternatives for jobs, vacations and even spouses. It’s human nature to consider “Plan B” should the original plan fail.
Take for example, the iCasa Resort Living Project slated to be built in the Banks Crescent gully.
The Lark Group (the contractor) has presented to council and the Summerland community a very viable, economically lucrative and mutually beneficial (to the community) project that will help deal with the current vacuum in elder care. Many members of our community are vehemently opposed to the idea for a number of reasons — increased traffic, obstructed views, potential landslides, etc.
There’s even a concern over the local fish hatchery in old town Summerland collapsing because of a compromised water source.
Okay, we get it. The community is on edge, thanks in large to the rumours and misinformation that have plagued this project from the beginning.
Many citizens expressed their desire to maintain agricultural use of this parcel of land.
The current vineyard is not economically viable. That’s why the owner decided to sell it. But what other agricultural use could exist if this project gets turned down by our council?
How about a chicken farm? There’s an idea — 5,000 or 10,000 chickens, squawking, clucking and chirping. A few roosters guarding the girls would complete the picture — especially when the sun comes up at 4 a.m. during the summer.
Granted, there would be less traffic and heavy duty equipment roaring about, but what about the stench and noise emanating from such a business?
Would a chicken farm be an acceptable alternative?
Or how about a commercial orchard? Workers in white suits and masks covered from head to toe, driving tractors at 7 a.m., applying fertilizers and insecticides. Great idea as long we have westerly winds.
Or maybe someone will use the land to build a hobby farm with a few goats, chickens, roosters, donkeys and peacocks.
Sounds great to us, but then, we don’t live on the crest of the hills overlooking the gully.
Here’s our point. Is the proposed iCasa project really so bad?
Perhaps those opposed to this project should give more thought to the alternative use for this parcel of land.
This property will eventually be developed and “Plan B” may be far worse than the iCasa Resort Living Project. Food for thought?
To learn more about citizens’ views of the iCasa Project go to www.summerlandcsi.com.
Angela and Henry Sielmann
Summerland