Council has spoken. Five of the seven member Council approved the change in the OCP which requires the developer to construct a 1.7 km sewer trunk line down Aberdeen Road. This they have done after the community clearly expressed its opinion regarding the protection of agricultural land in the December 15th, 2007 referendum. Only Councillors Garlick and Firman voted against the motion.
Here is a recap of what the issues were here. The main objective was to provide sewer access to residents who may have trouble with their septic system. However, in addition to the new development there are only about 20 residential lots along Aberdeen Road that are less than a hectare in size. The majority of residences that may need sewer connection are in the Rendell Drive-Paisley Drive area but they would need additional works to access the service and most of those residents opposed sewer service.
Even if we needed to extend the service to those residents on Rendell-Paisley Drives the Distance between Wisbey Drive and Rendell Drive is only 700 meters. It is insane to construct a 1.7 km sewer pipe for 20 households. Is there a hidden agenda? Having a readily available sewer line running by would place an immense pressure on future Councils to rezone and on the ALC to remove the land from the land reserve. Or perhaps that’s the hidden agenda.
One of the arguments was that if we continued using the 15th Street connection we would have to negotiate with Vernon to increase the capacity of the line from 15th Street towards the treatment plant. What noone wishes to acknowledge is the fact that the sewer line between the Alpine Centre and the City would also require replacement at Coldstream’s expense and the same negotiations would have to take place. As well, the already discussed replacement of the sewer main between McClounie and the Alpine Centre connection site will also have to be replaced.
It appears, Council did not learn from the mistake of the previous hasty decision to provide a cheap sewer line to a former Councillor who appears to have business relationships with a former Mayor. Is it possible that one or more of the present Council members may have a potential future benefit from this proposed Aberdeen sewer line?
Here is a recap of what the issues were here. The main objective was to provide sewer access to residents who may have trouble with their septic system. However, in addition to the new development there are only about 20 residential lots along Aberdeen Road that are less than a hectare in size. The majority of residences that may need sewer connection are in the Rendell Drive-Paisley Drive area but they would need additional works to access the service and most of those residents opposed sewer service.
Even if we needed to extend the service to those residents on Rendell-Paisley Drives the Distance between Wisbey Drive and Rendell Drive is only 700 meters. It is insane to construct a 1.7 km sewer pipe for 20 households. Is there a hidden agenda? Having a readily available sewer line running by would place an immense pressure on future Councils to rezone and on the ALC to remove the land from the land reserve. Or perhaps that’s the hidden agenda.
One of the arguments was that if we continued using the 15th Street connection we would have to negotiate with Vernon to increase the capacity of the line from 15th Street towards the treatment plant. What noone wishes to acknowledge is the fact that the sewer line between the Alpine Centre and the City would also require replacement at Coldstream’s expense and the same negotiations would have to take place. As well, the already discussed replacement of the sewer main between McClounie and the Alpine Centre connection site will also have to be replaced.
It appears, Council did not learn from the mistake of the previous hasty decision to provide a cheap sewer line to a former Councillor who appears to have business relationships with a former Mayor. Is it possible that one or more of the present Council members may have a potential future benefit from this proposed Aberdeen sewer line?
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