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Controversial Naramata development back on council agenda

Signs protesting Canadian Horizons proposal can be seen across Naramata Bench
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Signs like this one opposing Canadian Horizons development proposal of 1050 Spiller Rd. appear all along Naramata Bench. (Contributed)

If you’ve driven along the Naramata Bench lately, you can’t miss the massive signs posted on people’s properties opposing the Canadian Horizons development.

Signs with messages like: “Naramata Bench: No Urban Sprawl” and “No Massive Subdivisions” as well as “Canadian Horizons: Stay off Naramata Bench, Our Napa Valley.”

There are around 30 signs spread out from the start of the Bench by the Munson Mountain turn-off all the way along Naramata Road and past the many wineries.

Now the controversial development proposal is back on city council’s agenda for the Sept. 6 meeting.

City staff will present a report mainly focusing on the results of the engagement period and an update on the development plans, said Blake Laven, city director of development services.

In May, Canadian Horizons returned to city council for their second crack at developing 1050 Spiller Rd.

The developer’s original 2020 proposal would have brought in more than 300 homes.

Council shot down that proposal after public protest and backlash from the Penticton Indian Band and other members of the community.

The new proposal has been scaled down to almost a third of the original’s size, with 111 larger parcels instead of 307.

But still many Pentictonites and Naramatians oppose the current proposal.

“A lot of attention and work has gone into creating signage along the Naramata Bench, and to voice our concerns regarding this second proposal submitted by Canadian Horizons,” said Barbara Smallwood, who lives on Naramata Road and has protested both of Canadian Horizons’ proposals.

“You all know how most of the residents and business owners felt about a mega-subdivision a year ago, its location and how it negatively affects and impacts the Bench and Naramata Road.”

To gather feedback the city hosted an online public engagement session and in-person open houses.

READ MORE: Public opposition to Penticton’s Spiller Road development remains

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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