Skip to content

LETTER: Information was presented prematurely

Summerland staff reported on Banks Crescent proposal before application was ready.
15211543_web1_Typewriter

Dear Editor:

Summerland’s new council needs to make changes if they don’t want to be branded as anti-development.

Our council thinks it appropriate to have the first public presentation of a development project be given by our CAO without the developer’s knowledge or attendance at the meeting.

At the Jan. 14 meeting, staff couldn’t even answer basic questions as they haven’t reviewed the application yet. The apparent reason for this strange new process is “for information purposes” and have council direct staff to process the application.

Provincial law requires local governments to process every application that is made. This does not mean staff presenting preliminary information without the developer in the room and before the application is complete.

I feel the frustration that the Lark Group (and any other developer) must feel trying to look into council’s crystal ball.

Their ambitious proposal to bring significant economic benefit to Summerland got tossed after two years of effort because it was too big and too ambitious.

Fair enough.

So they come back with a low density single-family development, even lower than the density called for in the Lower Town Strategic Plan.

Before the application is even ready for council to consider, and no public process has taken place, the CAO brings it forward.

One councillor suggests this preliminary drawing is “disappointing and unappealing.”

Proper process means having the proposal vetted by staff to determine if it meets city bylaws.

It means allowing the developer to engage with the public to determine neighbourhood wishes. It means allowing the developer to adjust his plans if necessary.

Then the developer presents his vision to council at a public meeting. This normal process can be carried out in a reasonable time period if everyone knows what they are doing.

Maybe a smarter approach is to designate this property MDR as envisioned in the OCP.

Then advise staff as to what council is looking for and let the developer work with our very capable planning staff to propose something suitable.

Ian McIntosh

Summerland

To report a typo, email:
news@summerlandreview.com
.



news@summerlandreview.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.