It appears that the Meadows Drive housing proposal will get a green light from Town council.
Regardless if you agree or disagree with the plan, it will bring needed housing to the community . . . and finally put the land to use after sitting vacant for many years.
But there’s one issue that hasn’t been resolved yet, and we sincerely hope it is soon. Will young families be allowed to purchase these modular homes, or will the development be yet another seniors’ exclusive project?
At a previous public hearing, local realtors stood up and supported the rezoning, saying that young families are in need of affordable housing opportunities in Oliver.
The developer has not yet confirmed if there will be an age restriction.
Although the Town can’t dictate what the owners can do with the property, it would have been nice to have a clause in the covenant stating “no discrimination allowed.”
We can only hope that the developer sees the writing on the wall and opens the project to families.
No doubt new hires at the Okanagan Correctional Centre will need housing in Oliver. But if it’s not available, we will lose them to other communities.
We have been told that Oliver Elementary School has increased its enrolment by 25 students (from what was projected in the spring). This is great news and further emphasizes the fact that new families need affordable housing in this community.
While seniors are a very important part of our society, we tend to forget that younger families are struggling to make ends meet too.
Putting an age restriction on a housing development is a form of discrimination and should not be permitted. Even Mayor Ron Hovanes admits its almost a human rights issue.
We implore the Meadows Drive developer to not close the door on families in Oliver. It appears the Town is willing to make this rezoning work, so let’s hope the land owner will reciprocate in kind.
By Lyonel Doherty, editor
