Update on the park near our house

I copied and pasted this article taken from our local newspaper (see link below). I was pleased to hear that the city is concerned about us residents who live by the park and are sad to see it be replaced with housing.

The Vernon Morning Star


Project sent back to drawing board
By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - April 30, 2008


A proposed housing development in South Vernon will have to be redesigned if it’s to get political support.

Council gave three readings to a rezoning bylaw Monday but it will not consider further approval for the Vernon Native Housing Society project until the concerns of residents in the 19th Avenue area are addressed.

“I like the concept of the project but I don’t like the way the buildings are,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert.

“They need to make it more neighbourhood inclusive.”

Residents have suggested the 40-unit affordable housing complex next to the sewer treatment plant could compound existing problems with criminal activity. Some believe the current layout of the buildings will block off sight lines.

The most controversial aspect of the proposed project is using a large chunk of park for housing.

Currently, the park is 25,000-square-feet in size, but it would shrink to 10,000-square-feet if the complex goes ahead.

“It’s about the greenspace for the children there,” said Coun. Patrick Nicol, adding that the land for the housing project has been provided by the city and the needs of the adjacent residents should be considered.

That is also the view of Coun. Pat Cochrane.

“The neighbourhood wants more park space and the project needs to be redesigned,” he said.

Vernon Native Housing Society officials accepted council’s edict that the plans be reconfigured.

“It’s better than a no. We want a win-win. It’s workable,” said president Val Chiba.

The society has been working on the project for about a year, and environmental upgrades and rising construction costs have added another $1.5 million to the price tag.

As a result, Chiba wants the new designs done soon.

“The more we wait, the more it costs,” she said.

Any new designs will go back before council for consideration.

“If we don’t get satisfaction, we won’t sign that (lease) agreement,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham of the land.

Also on Monday, council asked RCMP Insp. Steve McVarnock to meet with 19th Avenue residents about their concerns with crime and drugs.

“We will do an assessment and come up with some enforcement strategies,” said McVarnock.

Some residents have suggested that police don’t take the concerns seriously, and McVarnock insists that situation must be addressed.

“More times than not, there is an initial response (from officers) but they’re not communicating that to the people involved.”

Resident Sandy Coolidge is pleased that McVarnock wants to hold a meeting.

“Time will tell,” she said of any possible outcomes.

“City council heard it (concerns) loud and clear. With this new development, they have to look at it.”