Dust problem continues
Don't minimize our concerns, say Cottonwood Drive residents.
Some residents who live along Osoyoos' Cottonwood Drive adjacent to the Sole Vita development may be seeking small claims legal action in an effort to force developer Palcor to deal with the problem of sand and debris blowing from the Sole Vita site onto and into their yards, vehicles and homes.
The problem has been ongoing since last November, when site excavation began on the new condo development. Since that time, residents have repeatedly voiced concerns to Palcor and to the Town of Osoyoos.
The dust problem, residents say, has made it impossible for them to enjoy their neighbourhood.
At the May 2 town meeting, Mayor John Slater and council addressed the issue and noted numerous complaints from property owners had been received at the town office.
Bylaw Enforcement Officers have attended the Sole Vita site three or four times requesting that the developer employ dust and sand control methods, stated town administrator Elsie Lemke in a letter to mayor and council.
Although the site supervisor has employed sprinklers and hoses to help control the dust, results have been mixed. On a day with strong winds, the watering method has not proven to be effective.
And there is no one there to continue the watering through the weekend.
At the meeting, four options were outlined. They ranged from passing a bylaw to force the developer to fix the situation or face a fine, to looking into what other communities are doing , to continuing to encourage the site supervisor to pursue more effective means of controlling dust and sand.
Council agreed on option two, which was to meet with the construction site supervisor to review challenges and look for ways to improve the situation.
Councillor Davreux commented that they didn't want to get too heavy-handed about it and wanted to work with the site supervisor to help solve the problem.
Councillor Shields remarked that any time a property is being built, unfortunately, it creates a bit of dirt for the neighbours to deal with.
The consensus from council was that residents would have to be a bit patient, as Sole Vita is a construction site.
I feel like a prisoner in my own home, said Cottonwood Drive resident Cindy Rehberg.
Rehberg said she is disappointed in the political process and feels the town has not taken residents' concerns seriously.
It's not just a little bit of dust we're talking about. And there are health issues. Residents have developed things like dry cough and dry eyes, conditions that require medical attention, Rehberg said.
We don't want to harangue anybody but we want a solution, said Isoebl Hart, who has taken several steps, first contacting site supervisor Andy Campbell, then Bylaw Enforcement Officer Dennis Tomlin, then Palcor President Rudy Loewen, in an effort to try to find a suitable solution.
Hart said that the blowing sand is not only an issue when the wind is up. Much of the problem is caused by sand drifting off the large stockpiles of excavation and off the giant scoop when it moves material to and from the mounds.
The problem is the sand piles are not constant. They are continually being trucked in and out, Hart said.
And the trucks coming in and out are not covered, Hart added.
Much of the frustration the residents have stems from the feeling their concerns are being trivialized.
I invite Mayor Slater and all the councillors to visit our homes and see the problem for themselves. We need them to see what we are talking about. It's a courtesy we deserve, added Hart.
The bottom line is, a solution is simple. Water the loose piles continuously. Tarp the trucks leaving the site. Have the town monitor the site continually to ensure compliance.
The town needs to take a more parental role with developers to ensure they are following rules, Hart said.
Residents intend to speak directly to Mayor and council.
