Second meeting of Gallagher Lake Planning group held this week with a public session scheduled for July 27.
Ed Grifone of CQT Consultants hired to co-ordinate an area community plan,
Many of the concerns listed below:
• Highway 97 – vehicle and pedestrian safety concerns – crossing as a pedestrian – more population and development increases traffic. Long term 4 laning of Highway 97 being considered? Existing bridge is a bottleneck. Walkway under bridge used in summer. Road connectivity within residential areas – secondary/emergency access needed for all areas (Country Pines-CP), public lane along north side of Country Pines, road along south side of creek is private property with no easement
• Vacant or underdeveloped sites
• Park needs, trails development
• Sewer service, OIB upgraded the Waste Water Treatment Plant for additional capacity, expansion of urban area and phasing of sewer service (in consideration of environmental issues),water domestic and fire flows, Town of Oliver irrigation flume. Sections may be wide enough for walkway. No trespassing signs. CP residents use adjacent flume lands for walking.
• Note of fault line in bluff above lake at south end of CP – is monitored by Oliver?
• Drainage to be considered
• Dykes along McIntyre Creek (Vaseux Creek) – orphaned dykes – flooding in 1948 (debris flow), dykes are privately maintained – north of creek is floodplain
• Residential character – continue with modular housing or other options, redevelopment of older homes/units, future use of modular home parks/trailer parks? Country Pines homes being upgraded electrically prior to sale (Silver Seal). Future multiple family an option.
• Commercial – tourism orientation, form and character, impact of prison, mix of light industrial and commercial, location of retail, professional offices. Limited land area for commercial. Parking adequate?
• Future of gravel pit – redevelopment opportunities. Fortis Substation exists. Local jobs needed? Relationship with OIB and their industrial area
• Note OIB locatee land located on the east side of Highway 97 – Potentially consider with part of GL Area Plan
• Cline property north of bridge – access to Hwy difficult, hwy widening impact and creek dedication requirements. Need to widen lane south of creek with cul-de-sac turnaround potential
• Campground retention (beach very crowded in summer). Public access to GL desired? GL is spring fed – part of aquifer that extends to Oliver – lake level fluctuates yearly
• Not many snow birds living in Gallagher Lake – Snowbirds do come here for the winter
• Nature Trust buying up McIntyre Ranch lands
• Not a sense of community for some residents in Gallagher Lake Need for better trails and connections to other communities (OK Falls – Oliver). Need for rail bridge across river. Look at Highway r/w adjacent to 4 land widening area for a trail system and public access to river. Opening up of KVR walkway through area. Hiking up the creek/canyon a desire.