Seniors development in Summerland, B.C., divides community

The fate of aseniors housing complex with more than 400 units overlooking Okanagan Lake is uncertain after continued opposition in Summerland, B.C.

The District ofSummerlandis considering changing itsofficial community plan to allow for a large housing project and heard from residents speaking against it at apublic hearing Monday.

Summerlandcouncil meets Tuesday night, and could have a decision on the development by the end of the week.

"It's a beautiful valley," said resident Brian Udall. "To think of it being slaughtered I think it's a great idea but it's just the wrong place."

• 5-storey waterfront development opposed inPeachland, B.C.

Lark Group, the project's developer,initially heard overwhelmingly positive comments, saidKirk Fisher, the company's senior vice-president.

"That made us fired up and excited to come to the community with that great support," Fisher said.

When hereceived apetition of 3,000 signatureslast summer asking the district andLark Groupto reconsider the project, he said the companyreturned to speak to residents about what the development would mean for the community.

"We don't think any project should be in a community like this unless it's going to have a really strong environmental and financial impact, which we believe this project will," Fisher said.

Conflicting views

Jesse Zeman of the B.C. Wildlife Federation said adevelopment of that size could impact a nearby trout hatchery that depends on an aquifer locateddirectly beneath the proposed site.

"The Summerland hatchery is one of the oldest hatcheries in the province," he said. "It stocks 300 lakes for280,000 people to enjoy.

I think it's a great idea but it's just the wrong place.- Brian Udall

"If there is an issue with the water, who's going to pay to either find an alternate water source or to find an alternate location for the hatchery?"

Craig Milton, Summerland residentand architectural technologist, saidresidents should trust that modern building science will protect people and the environmentduring and after construction.

"This development seems to represent an opportunity that they would be foolish not to try to capitalize on," Milton said.

With files from Daybreak South