Do we have all the facts?
Developer Farouk Shah, who is proposing to develop Cactus Ridge Estates, a senior assisted living facility for Osoyoos, said he read about the property for sale in a real estate listing.
Shah has developed three assisted living facilities in Alberta and Saskatchewan, and felt the local property, situated on Main Street, Swan Crescent and Finch Crescent, would make a suitable site for such a facility in Osoyoos.
I had never met the council or any council-men until the first hearing in the council chambers, said Shah, answering whether or not any commitments had been made to him by council prior to the proposal coming before the public.
At that time, the council referred the matter back to the administration and committee. I have never had any assurance from the council or anybody in the administration that I would have no problem getting the required change of zoning.rnHe added the municipal law is very clear: any developer has the right to ask or apply for any change to a zoning or a development permit.
The administration will entertain the request provided, however, the developer pays the required fee to cover the cost of the administra-tion and advertisement.
Then, and in accordance with the municipal laws, the administration will check all the necessary bylaws and ask the developer to advertise to invite the public to see the proposed project and collect all the comments. At that time, it is up to the developer to pursue the matter or drop it, Shah explained.
After the public invitation, the admini-stration will comment (on whether they recommend the project or not) and send it to the council for a decision.rnShah said he is willing to work with the public to make sure his development is an acceptable one for the community.
I have listened to the public, revised the project to cover most of their concerns, revised the project further to cover what the admini-stration and their consulting engineers needed, and we will again listen and revise what the design committee sees fit, Shah added.
Osoyoos Now President Michael Ryan said there was no doubt, with such a large senior population, an assisted living facility is needed in Osoyoos. However, he added the proposal raises several major considerations, includ-ing amending an OCP while it is still under review and numerous concerns from the neighbourhood.
If this facility is to be built in our community on this site, it should not happen until the residents and their organizations are acknowledged as being legitimate stakeholders in the development of their neighbourhood, said Ryan.
Ryan emphasized that under the Government Act, consultation with affected persons, organi-zations and authorities is required in addition to a public hearing.
The question is not whether or not to consult. The only question is how much consultation and how early and ongoing. We would like to see the spirit of this legislation embraced and not just the minimum require-ments followed.
Ryan was pleased to say that last week, Farouk Shah did call Osoyoos Now to discuss the issues raised by the proposal.
Mr. Shah had a meeting with the Osoyoos Now directors, and resident Jerry Albo [who has been critical of the development for a variety of reasons] was also present, Ryan said.
I want to commend the developer for his willingness to hear the concerns of the neighbourhood and in trying to address them. We view that meeting as a very positive development and are pleased he has shown an openness to discussion,” said Ryan.
