A view of Vernon from the Commonage lands (Image Credit: Kerkhoff Develop-Build)

By Liam Verster

Addressing Public Concerns

Proposed Commonage development redesigned

Feb 20, 2026 | 3:00 PM

A controversial housing development proposed for the hillside overlooking Vernon has been redrawn.

In February of 2025, the B.C.-based home builder, Kerkhoff Develop-Build, presented a plan to Vernon City Council to build a 4,000 unit housing development at 580 Commonage. Of those units, 1,800 of them would be set at attainable prices.

This proposed project however raised a lot of concerns, particularly with environmental impact, infrastructure costs, how Vernon was lacking infill and that this project would not suit the local housing needs.

The developer has held a series of public consultations to hear the concerns from residents and local groups, and has revised their plan.

The revisions include:

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• Building 3,500 new homes on the Commonage lands, 40 per cent of which 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

“All of the input we’ve gathered helped to inform our newly-revised and more detailed plan outlining how we can create the best, affordable community in an amazing setting with views and surrounded by nature,” Leonard Kerkhoff, President and CEO of Kerkhoff Develop-Build, said.

“With young workers and their families leaving the area for more attainably priced housing elsewhere, and support from employers who can’t attracted enough workers due to the costs of housing, we know Vernon needs this.

“We will create a connected community with its own mixed-use neighbourhood centre, and a network of trails for walking, hiking and biking to connect the neighbourhoods. We know the need is real, and we have worked hard to provide a highly livable community while preserving more than two-thirds of the natural landscape and its local biodiversity.”

The revised application has been submitted to the city and as of time of publication was being reviewed by staff in preparation of it being brought before Vernon City Council in the near future.

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