As expected Summerland council voted 4 to 1 Monday for swapping farmland for hillside land to allow for housing near the core of the District Municipality. About 200 acres of land within the ALR is at stake. Sufficient land for many decades.

A crowd of 60 plus gathered in council chambers to hear the motion, the discussion and the decision.

Councillor Marty Van Alphen: I come from a farming past – this is a positive plan for the community….

Councillor Orv Robson: Summerland has had less than a 1% growth rate since the OCP of 1996. The urban growth plan will change that. Farming provides less than 7% of the tax base….. C

ouncillor Peter Waterman: This is a very large tract of land to swap – with the replacement land more prone to frost. Not in favour….

Councillor Robert Hacking: Growth in housing needed in Summerland – full support….

Mayor Janice Perrino: Want Summerland to be a thriving community of young families. There has been minimal growth and this decision will make Summerland the jewel of the Okanagan.

Councillors Bruce Hallquist and Lloyd Christopherson did not attend the meeting as they own land within the area of the swap.

This decision was preceded by two public hearings and one public meeting – all attracted large crowds mostly against the swap.

One citizen was shocked to hear that this will bring creative people to Summerland as she felt that it is full of creative individuals.

Others felt impotent in the face of governing bodies with no interest in listening to or representing it’s citizens and are stunned to hear the words intelligent and reasonable when hearing councillors’ discuss the reasons for making the decision.

A petition with many 1500 signatures was not persuasive. As expected those against the idea – not pleased with the council decision. The matter will be sent to the Agriculture Land Commission for a review.