October 22, 2007
Mayor and Council, Coldstream BC.
I have some questions regarding the fate of the agricultural land at the corner of Aberdeen Road and Highway 6.
For the benefit of all taxpayers in Coldstream and potentially all taxpayers in Greater Vernon, I believe the following questions need to be aired and answered prior to a referendum:
What is the estimated cost of the referendum?
In its August 31, 2007 letter to Al McNiven, the ALC stated that it is unlikely that it would support the application for non farm use of the property in question without a net benefit to agriculture.
I quote:
“Given the very high agricultural capability of these lands, and their current agricultural use, the Commission would likely not support the conversion of an additional 40ha to non farm uses. That is not to say that the Commission would dismiss an application that offered a substantive agricultural benefit (such as consolidation of active farmland). However, it is not the Commission’s mandate to encourage the conversion of high capability farmland to non farm use, or suggest ways and means to achieve this.”
With the unlikelihood of ALC approval, what is Council’s justification for creating additional taxpayer expense for this referendum instead of holding it at the time of the November 2008 election?
What, if any, substantive agricultural benefit is being offered so that the ALC would consider approving the application?
If the concept plan from the first “go-around” is not what is now being proposed, what will the parks/sports fields complex now look like?
How will it affect the agricultural character of the community; the traffic; the habitat and wildlife; and the water quality of Coldstream Creek?
What will the land, the development and other related costs be to taxpayers?
If these questions cannot be answered before a referendum, then I respectfully submit we would be foolish to vote “yes” no matter what the date of the referendum!
Sincerely,
Louise Christie
13012 Westkal Road
Coldstream, BC, V1B 1Y5
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