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Canadian Horizons withdraws development proposal for above Naramata

The developer made a new application under current zoning of country homes and mobile park
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Around 30 signs like this one appear all along the Naramata Bench opposing the now withdrawn development proposal for 1050 Spiller Road. (Contributed)

Developer Canadian Horizons is pulling their plan for 111 homes at 1050 Spiller Road above Naramata.

They are dropping their rezoning and Official Community Plan request to make a new application to the city to develop the lands under the current zoning. The current zoning allows for a mix of country residential and mobile home park zoned areas.

The previous proposal to allow for 111 single-family lots on different zoning would also have required an amendment to the OCP.

“Given the response to prior proposals for this property, it was important to offer the community a more formal process to learn more and contribute their feedback,” said JoAnne Kleb, communications and engagement manager for the city.

“As a result of this process, staff are able to provide the applicant and council with a good understanding of the participants’ views of this proposal and their concerns about development in this area.”

More than 500 people provided input into the development of 1050 Spiller Road, with results showing strong opposition to the current proposal but close to half of the respondents being open to future development with stricter conditions.

The results of the engagement process and an update on Canadian Horizons’ plans will be presented to council at their Sept. 6 meeting.

In addition to the engagement report, staff are also recommending the report be used in the evaluation of any applications for land use change at 1050 Spiller Road. Through the engagement process, the City learned that more than half of the 520 participants (54%) are opposed to any development at this location due primarily to the potential impacts to the environment and local economy.

Another 16% are fully supportive of development, believing the area can support development and help address the need for housing.

The Penticton Indian Band reconfirmed their strong opposition to development at this site as it is within an area of significant syilx Nation interest and will have serious impacts to syilx food, and social and ceremonial activities.

Around 30 large signs opposing Canadian Horizons’ development proposal can be seen along the Naramata Bench with many saying this area is our Napa Valley of the North, to keep development out.

READ MORE: Controversial Naramata development coming to city council again

To report a typo, email: editor@pentictonwesternnews.com.

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Monique Tamminga

About the Author: Monique Tamminga

Monique brings 20 years of award-winning journalism experience to the role of editor at the Penticton Western News. Of those years, 17 were spent working as a senior reporter and acting editor with the Langley Advance Times.
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