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Naramata Bench development heads to public engagement in Penticton

The 112 lot proposal by Canadian Horizons met a split city council
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This area of Naramata Bench overlooking Lake Okanagan is the proposed site for a 112-home development by Canadian Horizons. (Canadian Horizons photo)

The latest development proposal for Spiller Road on the Naramata Bench will be headed out to the public for feedback.

City council voted 4-2 on May 17 to send the 112 lot plan to the community engagement stage. Couns. James Miller and Katie Robinson voted against the decision, while mayor John Vassilaki was absent.

Canadian Horizons had previously proposed a 300-lot development for the property that was shot down unanimously by council in February 2021 at the first hearing following public outcry.

“Although this proposal has decreased the density substantially, it’s my personal feeling that it has not yet arrived at where it needs to be for my comfort zone,” said Coun. Robinson.

READ MORE: Canadian Horizons back at Penticton for second shot at Naramata development

The engagement plan will include a page on shapeyourcitypenticton.com, as well as providing feedback forms online and physically for residents to fill out.

The plan is to begin the engagement process on May 24 and leave it open for a minimum of a month.

“I’m not saying this is the perfect plan, I’m not saying I am behind it, I’m just saying that this application has enough merit to warrant to go to the public and I look forward to that process,” said Coun. Julius Bloomfield.

Once the public engagement process is completed and council has been presented with the results, a decision on whether to begin the rezoning and Official Community Plan amendment process will begin.

Currently, the property is zoned for country residential and for a section of mobile home park. The OCP for the area supports a higher density of housing than the 112-lots being proposed.

The proposed amendment to the OCP would change the land designation to forbid duplexes, fourplexes or townhouses from being built in the future.

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Brennan Phillips

About the Author: Brennan Phillips

Brennan was raised in the Okanagan and is thankful every day that he gets to live and work in one of the most beautiful places in Canada.
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