Water issues stall Eastside Road development once again

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She said the worst months for water flows are in March, April, and May every year.

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The Friesen’s first reported the issue to the city in 2015 and asked councillors to consider the drainage issues before allowing any new developments along that portion of Eastside Road.

Speaking to Vernon Matters Inge Friesen said her biggest fear is landslides. In April 2018, Eastside Road was closed after a landslide sent mud and debris onto the road. According to a previous Vernon Matters story, the slide was believed to be caused by the drainage of surface and ground water.

A health hazard caused by groundwater potentially mixing with septic discharge is also a concern.

The area used to be Electoral A under the Regional District of the North Okanagan, but in 1993 Okanagan Landing was annexed into the City of Vernon.

“It’s tough; they have to work on people who have lived here for forever and try to get permission from them and some of these people are not happy that the city ever took this area over so they are at a disadvantage negotiating to start with. There’s a lot of historical resentment,” Friesen said.

During Monday’s council meeting, Coun. Brian Quiring suggested the development may help with the drainage issues.

“I think your situation might get better. Because for one thing for over the footprint of the house you are going to capture whatever precipitation, you have the ability to control the runoff because of the house and there is a requirement that all the runoff to deal with that property gets solved,” he said

City staff said they are aware of the drainage issues and are working to find a solution but a statutory right-away that directs the water would need to be established before starting any work. Staff also noted a requirement to design a storm water management system with a 100-meter buffer should mitigate concerns.

Coun. Scott Anderson asked staff when the last time a geotechnical engineer was onsite. Staff told Anderson that the last report was done in October, 2019.

“If they were there in October and we aren’t sure when else they wouldn’t see runoff going through for two or three months in March and February. That really sits poorly with me because we don’t know,” he said.

The owner of the lot told council that his dream of building his own home have been put on hold for the past three years and he has spent thousands of dollars on rentals while his property sits in limbo.

He stated he would like to see the water issues fixed and emphasized that plans in the form of ditches are in place to direct water.

“I am willing to help with whatever needs to be done in order to get this water problem solved,” he said. “All the water that’s coming down the mountain that hits the ditch is going to be directed wherever I want that ditch ending up which is actually at the culvert.”

After drainage issues were clearly noted, council decided to defer the issue until they hear from an engineer about the impacts of the septic system on the amount of ground water.

Council’s decision to defer the permit was praised by Friesen.

“We are thrilled that council has chosen to further explore this matter prior to making a decision. Hopefully this drainage issue can soon be resolved for the benefit of our neighbourhood,” she said.