Different views on growth
Fears about a possible moratorium on development drew a full house at council's most recent public meeting Tuesday night.
Local and well-known businessman Manuel Vierra, of Osoyoos Aggregates and Osoyoos Readi Mix, spoke to council about those exact concerns.
Our livelihood comes directly from all local business activity. Our families have invested their lives into this community and have weathered the ups and downs you experience in small communities in business.
We financially invest heavily in our business and our community. It is the lifeblood for business success and the employment of families in Osoyoos, said Vierra.
Vierra was speaking from the perspective of a business owner who does not wish to see a halt or moratorium on development.
I urge council to continue to govern towards good, sustainable development for the betterment of our economy and infrastructure. This will allow businesses to thrive and working families to stay and enjoy Osoyoos.rnGrant Montgomery also addressed council at Tuesday night's meeting.
Montgomery agreed that the recent development 'boom' has created positive spin-offs.
In the past, not much was happening in the town. The odd house would go up, and businesses were struggling and closing down. Young people would graduate and leave town, said Montgomery.
The town took a positive approach and started an economic development office. They have done a tremendous job attracting investment in Osoyoos and we are the envy of many places around Canada. Maybe now we're the victims of our own success, I don't know, he added.
Dan Sawatzky also addressed council and spoke of concerns about the pace and scale of development in the community.
Sawatzky addressed council to elaborate on a petition to the Town of Osoyoos – a petition which asks the town to notify residents of R7 development applications and allow those residents to review and comment on same.rnThe petition further asks that the town empower and direct the planning department to require plan modifications if the proposed development would result in a significant negative impact on neighbours' residences.
Sawatzky and those who signed the petition feel that development can be achieved without seriously damaging beautiful views and property values of existing residences.Currently along Osprey Place, which is zoned R7 (high density residential), a five-unit condo is being constructed. Residents facing the new condos are concerned that their own views of the lake and mountains have been compromised, and that their properties have lost market value with those views now compromised.
Sawatzky offered three possibilities for the town to consider in preventing further damage to neighbourhoods.
First, the town could de-zone or re-zone some areas. If this can be done sensibly, all the petitioners concerns could be cleared away, Sawatzky said.
Second, the town could amend the current R7 regulations. This could be done by changing the maximum height allowance of 13 metres to suit existing real conditions, or by changing the way height is measured in order to avoid obstructing the view of existing residents.
A third possibility is simply to respect existing residents. Is this not part of the town council's responsibility? We believe that sensible and intelligent development can be achieved without drastically damaging the scenic views and market values of neighbouring residential properties.
