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South Okanagan Photos

Green light for Desert Hills development – traffic concerns to be dealt with

A fairly large crowd attended a 2 hour-long public hearing Wednesday night in Oliver at the Elks Hall.

19 speakers took the microphone to speak – a number of them speaking twice.

The public hearing, a legal procedure, to allow the public to argue a case – for or against – changing the zoning on this large property at the westerly edge of the town`s jurisdiction.

This property now designated as Desert Hills is the former Albert Klettke property west of the municipal cemetery. Desert Hills could see 90 apartment suites and 75 town homes when finished. It could also see a winery, vineyards and commercial development to compliment its agricultural setting. Development plans come after any zoning change to the property.

Three types of speakers at the hearing –

1. rural residents (present and former members of the RDOS area planning commission) concerned that this property was taken into the municipality (2005-2oo8) and about to be changed from farm use to housing.

2. those who supported the land use change including the developer and its consultants.

3.  a final group of Rockcliffe area residents who wanted to talk about the impact of such a development on Fairview Road and the existing traffic speed and safety with some referring to the area as the `Fairview Freeway`.

At the conclusion of the hearing a special open council meeting was held by Town council with a green light given to the long range housing and commercial development plan for the area with certain caveats.

The main covenant to be agreed to by the owners is the funding of a roundabout or other traffic calming measures at Princess Place and Fairview Road (junction of Road 2 and Fairview).

Fourth and final reading of the zoning and OCP changes will come once covenants on fire protection, roadwork and all other servicing work are registered on title.

Members of Town Council all talked to the traffic issue and called for a Fairview Road Plan in conjunction with ICBC and other authorities. Some discussion took place about methods of traffic calming including roundabouts, intersection platforms,  and four way stops.