Some of our image-laden pages may load more slowly depending on your internet service. Patience if they don't display immediately. You'll be glad you waited.

South Okanagan Photos

For or against – another vote on Vaseux Lake subdivision

lush parkland22Next Thursday, Directors of the Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen will have a chance to  hear more about a plan for housing on the east side of the lake near the highway – but the forces against such a plan are getting in line.

Many local politicians don’t like it, the ‘Area D’ planning commission is against it as is the neighbourhood – the Nature Trust.

On June 11 the Ok Falls/Kaleden planning group reviewed the plan and passed a motion: That the Electoral Area D Advisory Planning Commission recommends to the Regional Board to NOT approve the subject application.

lush two22

Subject application calls for winery and 12 lot subdivision at lakeshore west of newly planted vineyard. Nature Trust owns 12 acre property to the south and 158 acres to the east on the other side of highway.

Robert Stewart, Ecosystem Biologist – Ministry of Environment says this plan is not consistent with Official Community Plan or the Regional Growth Strategy and has the potential to significantly affect  riparian and aquatic values of Vaseux Lake.

J. Jasper Lament of the Nature Trust says there has been no consultation with his group. Given that the property is in a designated environmentally sensitive area and seeks a major increase in residential density the plan fails to address highway access and environmental issues.

Earlier all members of the Regional Board said the Regional Growth Strategy did not apply – giving faint hope to the developer. The vote this Thursday will be with Rural Directors only. Eight of them. A negative vote would have to be 5 to 3.