A rezoning application has been submitted 6500 Okanagan Ave. to develop a 25-unit subdivision (photo courtesy of the City of Vernon)

By Liam Verster

25 Unit Development

Zoning change supported for Okanagan Landing subdivision

Oct 12, 2023 | 5:00 AM

Plans are in the works to develop a new subdivision in Vernon’s Okanagan Landing area.

At the regular meeting Tuesday, Oct. 10, Vernon council received a zoning application for a 25 unit subdivision near Marshall Fields.

The application for the property at 6650 Okanagan Avenue requested the land be rezoned from Rural Small Holdings to Small Lot Residential.

A staff report said a restrictive covenant would be registered on the property title prior to final adoption by bylaw requiring that a landscape plan and security be provided for a minimum of two shade trees per lot, that the building permit application approved drawings for single detached housing are suite-ready, and that building permit application-approved drawings for single detached and semi-detached housing are electric vehicle charger ready.

The proposed subdivision development for 6500 Okanagan Ave. (image courtesy of the City of Vernon)

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After receiving the presentation, Mayor Victor Cumming noted there was no pedestrian pathways for residents of the proposed subdivision.

“My concern is, if you’re a child of the neighbourhood with The Oaks (6600 Okanagan Ave.) on the right hand [east] side and you have a friend in this subdivision or the next subdivision, it forces you out onto Okanagan Avenue to try to connect,” Cumming said.

“So I think a requirement on this subdivision is to have access for humans and active transportation between The Oaks and this subdivision, and this subdivision and the 46-lot [undeveloped] subdivision [to the west].”

Michelle Austin, urban planner for the city, told Cumming his proposed requirement would be brought forward to the approval officer to add to the plan, and a report on the matter would be brought to council at a later date.

Councillor Brian Guy inquired whether the subdivision would be supplied water by Greater Vernon Water, to which Austin said the utility had been contacted with a request to provide water to the property and that the city would follow up and report back to council on the topic as well.

Councillor Akbal Mund noted two shade trees of 20 or 30 feet may be “overkill” for the small lots. Austin noted that “shade trees” was not defined in the landscape bylaw, but said it could be worked out in the subdivision process.

Council voted unanimously in favour of supporting the zoning application.

Before the zoning amendment can be granted, a public hearing will be held to gather feedback on the proposed development. A date for the hearing was not determined at Tuesday’s meeting.