The land in the Commonage area where Kerkhoff Develop-Build are proposing building a 3,500 home neighbourhood. (Image Credit: Kerkhoff Develop Build / Facebook)

By Liam Verster

Environmental, Sprawl Concerns

Residents still concerned about proposed housing development in the Commonage

Mar 10, 2026 | 2:21 PM

A number of residents are still pushing back against a proposed housing development in Vernon’s Commonage area.

The developer, Kerkhoff Develop-Build, submitted a revised plan for the project proposed for 580 Commonage Road.

• Building 3,500 housing units with 1,700 of them being offered at below-market rates, down from the earlier proposal of 4,000 units of which 1,800 would be attainably priced
• Only using two-thirds of the 421 acre property for the housing, preserving the most environmentally sensitive areas
• Preserving parks, open spaces, and natural areas in larger, more contiguous areas
• A more tightly consolidated housing development footprint away from environmentally sensitive areas and steeper slopes
• More clarity on the developer’s role in providing new water and sewer systems and road extension infrastructure 
• A commitment to pay for the expansion of the water system, at no cost to the taxpayers

Since issuing the statement of the revised plan, the developer said it heard that the public was still concerned about the environmental impact of the project, and affirmed that conservation was “at the very core of the proposed plan to build a new residential community.” 

Despite trying to address those concerns, a number of residents have written Vernon Matters to express their concerns with the proposed project.

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Julia Lissau said in an email that she had issues with the sprawl development.

“With his plan Kerkhoff Develop-Build completely ignores the wishes of the local residents who, via the OCP (Official Community Plan), Transportation Plan, Climate Plan, and Housing Needs Plan, specified NO hillside sprawl, and recommended supportive low-cost housing close to the downtown core for lower paid, hardworking citizens. Citizens also supported decreasing GHGs (Green House Gasses) via alternative transportation and more,” Lissau stated.

She also said the work would disturb local wildlife who live in the Commonage area, and though the developer promised to cover the infrastructure connection costs but the development would still cost taxpayers in terms of fire department and policing.

Barry Dorval wrote Vernon Matters to voice his opposition to the development, stating the land was zoned for agricultural use.

“Some of this agriculturally zoned area is currently being used as rangeland for cattle. This has occurred for decades without significantly degrading the ecological viability of the land or the wildlife it supports,” the email stated.

Dorval said the minimum lot size under the zoning was 12 acres, meaning the whole property could accommodate just 35 estate lots, but noted this would not be justifiable as it would cost too much to do all the infrastructure work required for so few new homes.

“The fact that intensive agriculture or estate development is unfeasible does not mean the land lacks value, however. Large, open grasslands like the Commonage contribute to wildlife movement, ecological integrity, and the landscape character that defines this area,” Dorval added.

Samantha Wood also wrote an email to Vernon Matters opposing the project due to its environmental impacts, despite the developer’s claim of preserving two-thirds of the land.

“When natural areas are broken into smaller patches by roads and housing, a number of problems emerge: increased edge effects such as wind and invasive species, greater wildlife mortality from human interaction and vehicle traffic, and the gradual isolation of wildlife populations. Over time, these changes reduce the quality and function of the remaining habitat,” Wood stated.

“These concerns are particularly relevant in the Okanagan’s grassland ecosystems, where wildlife movement between upland areas and valley corridors is essential. Vernon’s Official Community Plan also recognizes the importance of connected natural corridors as part of long-term environmental planning.”

The developer’s revised plan will be brought forward for city council to review and discuss at a future meeting.