To the Editor:
I have been reluctant to wade into the controversy regarding the recent destruction of the Mac Pherson Meadows/Willowglen area off 87th Street in Oliver but, feel as a citizen of Oliver I must add my voice, to that of others , and ask ” What Were These Developers Thinking” and “What Have They Done”?
The answer to “What were the Developers thinking”? may simply be, that they were trying to circumvent the soon to be re enacted Oliver Bylaw on environmental and riparian development permits. As to “what they have done” from my perspective they have done the following:
1) They have totally destroyed an area teeming with insect, bird, plant and wildlife.
As others, more knowledgeable than I , have already commented on the environmental damage done to these properties, I will not herein, reiterate their points . I will however, add one major effect that has yet to be mentioned. That is, that the Developers through their actions have purposely removed, on one property alone, two (2) plus acres of carbon dioxide absorbing plant life. This has been done when society is now aware of the very real problems of “Climate Change” and how very valuable this kind of life is in reducing green house gas. This property acted as a natural system to ameliorate the effects of that change.
2) Reduced greatly their chances for sale of the said properties
Again, as stated by others, I too had thought these properties, and in particular the two acre property, would have been a perfect property to acquire for preservation.
As was done with the Forbe’s property, this property, could have been kept in it’s natural state. With partners, such as those involved with Forbe’s Wetlands, along with interested citizens willing to assist in financing it’s acquisition, it could have remained a gem in our landscape. That chance for sale is now gone.
The only hope for it now, is perhaps, that another developer such as those looking at the Desert Hills development may see the advantage of moving their development to this site, where there is, easy access to to infrastructure and no need to pump water etc. to the development. Those attributes might offset the costs of the fill which will be necessary to bring the now destroyed property up to grade.
3) Created a “Black Eye ” for all Developers.
Not all Developers are of the same ilk as these, but all will henceforth be looked at as one in the same. These develpers, because of their lack of social and responsibility have done a great disservice to all in their field. There names will, far into the future, be associated with their lack of respect for the community and the environment.
4) Deeply affronted all the citizens of Oliver with their actions.
In the past year, Oliver has taken on a new vigor and glow as the Town Council, various groups in the community and the citizens have come together to make Oliver a greener, cleaner more livable and attractive community. A community where visitors, businesses and the population alike will flourish. What the developers have done will not dampen our spirit but their actions were an affront to all of us who have worked to make it an even better place to live.
In closing, I would like to offer a road to redemption for all. If this property could become a GREEN development all would not be lost. It could be an example on how a development could become sustainable through the use of solar power, geothermal heat and green products in it’s construction. It could be a model not unlike the housing developments that are now being constructed across Canada, one such site is located just outside of Calgary. We have close at hand in Penticton at OK College available advice, skills and expertise to do this. It would also, have to have landscaping which would: have low water usage, encourage return of the plant life, birds, bees and insects so, vital to our eco system . The joy is we also, have those experts available locally that could guide the way.
Betty Lou Trimmer Bahnsen
Oliver BC