By Kate Bouey

Public hearing on cards for Vernon heronry

Jun 8, 2020 | 4:08 PM

Vernon’s blue herons may not know what’s going on, but supporters of the birds turned out in force at city hall Monday.

“We wanted to show council that the citizens of Vernon want the heronry and the herons at the Boss property protected and we would like to see a restricted convenant remain on the title for Scotland Construction’s property right next to the heronry,” said Jane Weixl of the Vernon Heronry Protection Society.

Weixl was with about 100 demonstrators hoping city council would not lift a restrictive convenant on a property where a low-rise apartment building is to be built, close to the heronry on 20 Street in the north end.

The convenant was meant to protect the herons during the crucial breeding season.

Although council voted unanimously in May to keep the restriction in place, Scotland Construction returned Monday with new information that showed the building would be slightly farther from the heronry than first calculated.

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The developer wanted the restriction lifted.

Councillors voted to defer the matter until another public hearing can be held.

No date for another public hearing has been set, according to Vernon Mayor Victor Cumming.

When pressed, Cumming said it would be up to council to decide what to do but the mayor admitted he voted against sending the matter back to a public hearing.

Meanwhile, Weixl said the city should follow provincial environmental regulations in regards to the birds.

She said about 200 letters were also sent to council in support of the restriction remaining in place.

by Kate Bouey

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