Naramata residents opposed to a proposed subdivision near Campbell Mountain have formed a society aimed at preservation of Naramata Bench.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Society for the Preservation of the Naramata Bench
December 23, 2020 - 5:30 PM
Naramata area residents concerned about development are forming a new society to preserve the Naramata Bench.
The Society for the Preservation of the Naramata Bench issued a release on Dec. 17, announcing a new website and the formation of the society.
The group is concerned about a proposed 350-home subdivision near Campbell Mountain and an upcoming rezoning application scheduled to come before Penticton city council sometime in the new year.
The society’s aim is to “gather like-minded community members to voice their concern and opposition to rezoning and increased density of the Canadian Horizons development," according to a media release.
Society spokesperson David Kozier says concern isn’t just over the subdivision proposed by Canadian Horizons. He says there are two properties to the north that could be next in line for development if the Canadian Horizons proposal is allowed.
Kozier says other concerns involve interruption of the local water table caused by development, loss of the Naramata Bench’s rural appeal, and traffic and road issues as a result of development.
He says a former Penticton mayor had a phrase for the proposed development.
“In 2014, Penticton Mayor Gary Litke called it leapfrog development. You’ve got the core city land, and rural land which you are leapfrogging over what in the grand scheme of things is a new neighbourhood,” Kozier says, adding the City would have to add all the infrastructure and services into the subdivision, which would be separated from the city by undeveloped rural space.
"We want to ensure that decisions that will impact the future of Penticton and the Naramata Bench are made with eyes wide open to what is at stake. If this proposal is accepted, it may open the door for further development towards the Three Blind Mice recreational area,” the society said in the release.
Membership in the society is open to all for a fee of $10.
The society is also urging those in support to sign a petition that can be found here.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to tips@infonews.ca and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2020