Poole Street (photo submitted)

By Kevin Rothwell

Process disputed

Petition launched against land rezoning for housing

Feb 16, 2021 | 1:33 PM

An Armstrong man has launched a petition calling on the city to revisit a decision to build 80 affordable housing units near Norval Arena.

“It has come to my attention that the City of Armstrong cannot vote to pass a bylaw that changes the zoning of Parkland and Open Space until there is a referendum, and the residents of Armstrong approves the change (the city needs to have electoral approval),” Petitioner Dave McLean stated on change.org.

In a Jan. 28 media release, Mayor Chris Pieper refuted McLean’s claim.

“Council has for many years considered the nine lots along Poole Street as the ideal site for a housing project due in large part to the proximity to schools and recreation facilities. Council has also had affordable housing as its top strategic goal for several years,” Pieper stated.

A housing needs report done by the Regional District of the North Okanagan (RDNO) identified a critical need for 140 rental units and 65 ownership units in the City of Armstrong.

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The housing demand allowed the city to take advantage of the province’s rapid housing initiative.

McLean accuses the majority of council of acting illegally in rezoning the property from Park and Open Space P.1 to Residential Medium Density RM.4.

“When Councillor Jim Wright tried to bring forward a motion to delay the current bylaw process during the last council meeting (on Feb. 8), the rest of council would not even second the motion so there could be a discussion about the apparent error. The mayor and rest of the councillors are determined to force this through before too many people know about it and it is too late to do anything.” McLean said.

The city has owned the land since the mid 1960’s when it was to be used for a sewer plant. The property was designated to park and open space when the official community plan was completed in 1994.

“This land has remained largely unimproved by the city except to install a storm interceptor ditch to benefit the arena project, and was never maintained as park, or used for this purpose, since its purchase by the city in 1964,” Pieper stated.

The petition, which is looking for 200 signatures, has been signed by 160 people so far. It is addressed to the B.C. Ombudsman, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Citizens of Armstrong and Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo.