The land in the Commonage area where Kerkhoff Develop Build are proposing building a 4,000 home neighbourhood (photo courtesy of Kerkhoff Develop Build / Facebook)

By Liam Verster

To Sprawl or not to Sprawl?

Local organization opposes Commonage development plan

Sep 24, 2025 | 10:34 AM

A local group is in opposition of a planned development in Vernon and is organizing a letter writing campaign.

Sustainable Environment Network Society (SENS) said in an email that the planned development in the Commonage hills “is out of step with Vernon’s new Official Community Plan (OCP), touching on issues such as the environment, and affordable housing.”

The proposed development would see Kerkhoff Develop Build establish a 4,000 new home neighbourhood built on a portion of the Commonage lands, with 1,800 of those units set at affordable rates.

SENS will host a To Sprawl or not to Sprawl? panel discussion and a letter writing session with the intent of having people express their wishes and views to city council regarding this proposed project.

The event will be held at the Schubert Centre at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2.

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SENS is not the first group to voice opposition to this project. The North Okanagan Naturalists’ Club also came out against the proposed development due to concerns of impacts to natural ecosystems that provide essential habitats for species at risk.