— Concerns expressed about heritage preservation & big-box stores —
(OSOYOOS TIMES — Feb. 7, 2007) —
The Osoyoos public came out and was heard by Town Council in the last step before Mayor John Slater and the four councillors give final approval to the community's new Official Community Plan (OCP), the Town's roadmap for planning, growth and development for the next decade or more.
In fact, so many people attended and spoke at the Monday evening, February 5 public hearing on the final version of the OCP, two years in the making, that Council decided to put off its vote on the plan until its next meeting, March 5.
Councillors had planned to vote on second and third reading of the new OCP at their regular Council meeting held immediately after the OCP public hearing.
But when about 40 people attended the public hearing and more than half a dozen spoke at length on it “ councillors said all the comments made them want to consider the OCP further before voting on it.
Councillor Allan Carswell said Council will take all the points into consideration and may well make some changes to the plan before passing it on March 5.
Town Planner Alain Cunningham presented an introduction to the OCP for the hearing.
Then residents asked questions and made points, generally about shortcomings they saw.
In an earlier written submission and again at the hearing, Tony Brummet said the plan lacks the important element of heritage preservation.
He suggested adding an item to the OCP to state as one objective to: Endeavour to preserve some of our history for future generations through recognition and preservation of significant historical sites.
Brummet said the Town should support the establishment of a Community Heritage Commission whose purpose will be to identify sites determined to have community heritage value and/or tourism potential.
Sy Murseli expressed concern about the OCP's provision for density bonuses to be offered to developers to promote affordable multi-family housing in the downtown core, but not elsewhere in town. He said it should either be offered for development everywhere in town, or nowhere.
Jerry Albo said he is concerned about the lack of park space on the east side of town, and he urged an increase.
Osoyoos Now President Michael Ryan applauded all who worked on the OCP. The 2007 OCP is an admirable piece of work. We are all indebted to the volunteers' committee, our town planner and the participating organizations for their input, he said. rnBut Ryan said his group is concerned that the plan suggests the Town may allow big-box store space of up to 60,000 square feet. He said promises by big-box outlets of large job creation usually don't turn out as promised.
Cunningham told Ryan that research shows community's that want to consider big-box retail outlets usually allow up to 45,000 or 60,000 square feet, and if we do want one, we have to make it big enough to attract customers and interested retailers.
Resident Bob Knight gave councillors a point-by-point response on dozens of sections of the OCP.
Over the past year, a community OCP committee helped the Town draft the new plan.
It contains a number of maps and more than 180 policies to guide residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, agricultural and environmental developments.
The land-use designations for properties across Osoyoos as set out in the new OCP will determine the zoning that will be allowed for those properties.
Cunningham told the public hearing the Town will develop a new zoning bylaw later this year, and it will reflect the land uses set out in this new OCP.
Council is expected to vote for second and third reading of the OCP at its March 5 meeting and give it final, fourth reading and adoption at the meeting after that, on March 19.
