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LETTER: Developer responds following comments made

Over the last few weeks a number of communications have been published with reference to the proposed iCasa Resort Living development.

Dear Editor:

Over the last few weeks a number of communications have been published with reference to the proposed iCasa Resort Living development. Many of them contain inaccurate representations. We write to provide your readers with facts about the proposed development.

About iCasa Resort Living: The iCasa Resort Living in Summerland (“the Development”) is a 380-unit state of the art, age in place community providing best in class market housing, independent living and assisted care units. The Development is situated in an ideal location that offers the spectacular views of Okanagan Lake, walking trails, in-house dining, and a host of recreational, social, and health and wellness amenities, that seniors look for in a retirement community.

Scheduled transportation will be provided to its residents to all Summerland destinations, creating a safe, peaceful, and well-connected access to everything in town including the Health Centre.

Every aspect of the proposed project has been designed based on the best scientific and professional engineering practices. It meets and exceeds all requirements and codes including traffic, safety, fire prevention and those required by the District, the Province and the Federal Government.

The population of Summerland is growing and aging, with seniors making up 27 per cent. The residents of Summerland deserve to have a high quality, purpose built neighbourhood that provides best in class homes for seniors within which they can age in place.

As to the concerns published, we provide the facts: The Fish Hatchery and Aquifer will not be impacted; in fact, the developer has been proactively consulting with a local hydrogeologist and the development’s design reflects ongoing consultation with the fish hatchery.

The aquifer is situated 30 meters below existing grade. The iCasa excavation will be shallow enough to leave at least 24-25 metres buffer of undisturbed earth between the excavation and aquifer.

We are diverting all storm water directly into municipal storm system, away from the hatchery’s ravine.

We are taking further initiatives to improve the hatchery’s current infrastructure for the benefit of the entire community as a whole.

The Location of the Development is consistent with the District of Summerland’s Official Community Plan (OCP), which designates this area for residential development. The site is not within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR). The site and development is also consistent with the Regional Growth Strategy which designates Summerland as a regional growth node.

We are committed to working with nearby residents, listening to constructive feedback and working to address all of their concerns. The public deserves to have the full picture and correct information and we endeavour to provide this.

Our vision is to create a harmonious community where seniors can enjoy the benefits of living in Summerland with their neighbours, bringing jobs and revenues to the region, and investing in infrastructure upgrades for the community. We look forward to providing additional information to the residents of Summerland.

Malek Tawashy,

Development Project Manager

Lark Enterprises Ltd.

Surrey