VILLAGE ON THE LAKE CASE SETS A GOOD EXAMPLE
(OSOYOOS TIMES — August 23, 2006) —
Osoyoos Town Hall and developer Narinder Virk are to be commended for coming to a solution to bring his Village on the Lake complex into compliance with the town's development permit, before the matter had to proceed to court.
The two sides have saved themselves and the taxpayers from an escalating dispute that would have cost everyone much needless money and time.
In particular, Town staff and Council should be thanked “ not just for avoiding a nasty court case, but also for sticking to their guns and ensuring that the public and developers see that the zoning and development regulations set by our elected representatives must be followed by those wanting to build in town.
Osoyoos is in the midst of a development boom. Most people in town are thriving on this activity and welcome it.
But many have a healthy concern that the development should not be rampant and unregulated. Within reason, it should be asked to fit in well, on the good terms that one would expect from a new neighbour moving into Osoyoos.
Most of the developments do. But there are financial pressures on some developers to press the limits, to make the most from their condo development or subdivision or lot.
That's where Council comes in. It has an important role to play in making sure things like aesthetic appearance, development height, shoreline protection, and other factors are taken into consideration in all new developments.
And to its credit, this Council has shown in the Village on the Lake case that it can rise to this major challenge and enforce the rules when a developer pushes the boundaries.
If the rules continue to be applied strictly and fairly, everyone in town will benefit.
