Image Credit: Submitted/City of Kelowna
June 17, 2021 - 7:00 AM
An application to install a rock crusher on the site of a new Costco outlet in Kelowna has triggered some harsh comments from neighbours, but also support.
While there is opposition to more dust and vibration as crews prepare to build the new Costco outlet, there’s also some pointed attacks on city councillors themselves.
To date, two dozen letters have been received by City Hall in response to a request by Costco for a three-month temporary use permit to crush rocks on site rather than haul them away.
The company wants to used the crushed rock for fill. The alternative would be to haul it to West Kelowna or Lake Country for crushing which would require 320 tandem truck loads travelling 7,680 to 10,880 kilometres, a city staff report states.
Almost one quarter of the letters are actually in support of the rock crush on site. They are from people who say crushing the rock where Costco is building will speed up the construction process and lessen the total truck traffic.
It’s expected to take only 21 days of actual crushing, city said.
Opposition to the crushing operation focuses on concerns about structural damage to neighbouring condos, noise and dust.
“I am 1,000 per cent concerned about the amount of shaking going on in the building I live in,” Deb Bowman wrote. “I am constantly nauseous whenever the Costco site clearing is happening, usually 7 to 8 a.m. right through until after 3 when I leave. I am so scared that they are going to cause structural damage to my building as it is. They cannot be allowed to cause more shaking. It’s not the noise, it’s the shaking. My condo starts shaking and all my glass in the cupboards rattle.”
Others ask who is going to pay for structural damage that might be caused by a rock crusher and complain about excessive amounts of dust already being generated at the site bordered by Leckie, Springfield and Baron Roads.
“I did not move next door to a gravel pit, so I don’t know why they should be allowed to crush rock on their property,” Brandon K. wrote. “They have already been extremely bad at keeping dust under control, and the noise to surrounding homes is already enough with current construction. Adding a rock crusher will only make it worse.”
Others were under the impression that Costco would actually haul rocks from offsite to crush in this location.
Yet others wondered why City Hall was even asking for their input.
“I don’t understand why the city council wastes paperwork on sending out notices about upcoming hearings regarded items as zoning, rezoning and, in this location, regarding a temporary rock crusher,” Bernie Nickel wrote. “We all know the council does bend in favour of businesses with big money. So, I say quit sending out notices just to say city hall can say they notified people so the average person can feel warm and fuzzy.”
“I know that my email will probably not stop this from happening,” Anette Stembridge and Anne Marie Costa wrote. “Council almost always never take into consideration the feedback from residents when making decisions when dealing with large developers.”
“You will do what you want anyways, so why even hold a public meeting?” Gord Duhaime asked. “We will see you at the polls.”
City staff are recommending council approve the permit application to install a rock crusher on the site of the new Costco store.
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