Development News
Current News
Zoning Passed !
After nearly 5 years of interminable delay, the North Okanagan Regional District voted unanimously in favor of final adoption of our re-zoning case on January 20, 2010.
This means that we can finalize our subdivision plans and start road construction this Spring-- we expect to have build-able lots by fall of 2010
We will be posting a layout of available lots by early Spring, so keep an eye on this site -- we are looking forward to a busy year !
The Process Drags On
The housekeeping issues that were thought to be minimal in nature have run up against bureaucratic red tape leading to interminable unnecessary delays -- today, we hear that final adoption of zoning may be within the next few weeks. Not all of the recent delay has been wasted however in that the detail subdivision plans have moved through several levels of approval clearing the way for construction start later this summer -- all contingent on what our economy does.
It seems that the economy is uppermost in the minds of most people and the decision to build or buy a new home is the type of decision that may are putting off awaiting more economic certainty in their future. Our Vernon Hill project is not immune to the problems of the financial markets and therefore a defined construction start date is not yet committed.
We hope to report construction starting soon, however the economy and resulting market conditions will dictate when we are able to begin. More to come soon ...................
Development News July 22, 2008
Today was the date of our Public Hearing and vote by the District Board for 3rd & final reading. Zoning for 28 lots on 68 Hectares passed with one dissenting vote. Several people spoke both for and against the project during the Public Hearing. Boss Creek's Planner, Nigel Hemingway spoke on behalf of the project and addressed the concerns voiced by the dissenting speakers answering most of the stated issues.
Final adoption of the zoning is yet to come pending finalization of the following "housekeeping" issues
1. A letter of undertaking has been received to register a Section 219 Restrictive Covenant on the subject properties that will require prior to subdivision approval:
o public access through the development to Crown Land in a form approvable by the Ministry of Transportation and the Regional District of North Okanagan, and
o an environmental impact assessment for all lands included in the development, and
2. The Agricultural Land Commission has approved the proposed access route through the Agricultural Land Reserve lands in Lot 78 and Lot 79, Plan 351, and
3. Greater Vernon Services - Parks, Recreation and Culture has provided written approval of the parkland dedication and public trail system within the development. "
Official Public Hearing - July 22/08
Earlier this year we received comments of concern about the size and scope of our original plan from the North Okanagan Regional District staff and elected officials. As a result we scaled down our application to a size approximately equivalent to our original Phase I submission and now our total rezoning application is for change to "Country Residential" zoning rather than a Comprehensive Development Plan including a total of 28 lots averaging 5 acres each. The narrative of the revised application can be viewed here
Holiday Update
Nearly Christmas -- snow on the ground -- and winter in the air. Several hundred logs are now piled and being cut to timber size. Construction of a temporary structure to store the cut lumber and work on equipment is under construction.
Our engineers (Sven & Bruce at KWL Vernon) are working on the final layout of Phase 1 = endless tweaking to satisfy each newly found requirement. Worth the effort, because every change is an improvement on what we thought was near perfection. Will post a layout in January
Our beautiful Ponderosa pines
We are carefully selecting the Ponderosa pines that have to be removed -- some are in road right of ways, but most are falling victim to the dreaded pine beetle infestation that is ravaging the west. Each tree is carefully being moved to a central site where we have a small band mill set up to cut these magnificent gifts of nature into beams & timbers for homes and structures to be built on the ranch. Sad in one way, but it is good that by transforming these trees they will continue to be a part of the beauty of Vernon Hill. Many of the Ponderosas will have to go, but with this aggressive attack on the beetles, we hope to save many pines
Our forestry consultant advises as follows: "I recommend
that a salvage harvest or removal of any beetle infected areas be
conducted immediately. In
addition, I would suggest that a thorough investigation of all Ponderosa pine
within a 100m radius of the epicenter of any attacked trees be completed. Finally
I would suggest that an ongoing program be put in place to monitor for western
pine beetle activity on a yearly basis.
This Immediate
aggressive removal is recommended as an attempt at stopping the spread of this
infestation and help to prolong the life of the mature Ponderosa pine trees."
Wayne Wasiliew, R.P.F -.Wasiliew & Associates
The good news is that the pines only represent a small portion of the trees on the ranch - most are not affected by the beetles and are made up of Douglas Fir, Larch, Poplar/Aspen, Cottonwood & Birch
Opening the box
October 20 2006
Clearing of underbush continues. It's like opening presents = every area cleared opens a new and breathtaking view with a magnificent building site that nobody knew existed the day before