By Nowell Berg

In a five to two vote, City of Kimberley council Feb. 26 passed and adopted the Official Community Plan (OCP).

Each councillor spoke about the OCP and the contentious issue of development on the Marysville Benchland.

First to speak was Coun. Albert Hoglund who had made his intentions to vote against the OCP during several earlier council discussions. Hoglund again reiterated his opposition to zoning the benchland for industrial development saying its “not the best for Kimberley.” He added that if the benchland were removed from the OCP “I would vote for it.”

Coun. Sandra Roberts spoke next, saying, “I appreciate the public input at the public meeting.” She stood by her long held position of being “aggressive” on economic development and the “need to have [development] on land the city owns.” She said, “I intend to vote yes.”

Saying he was “disappointed there was no discussion on other parts of the OCP at the public meeting,” Coun. Kent Goodwin added he was willing to “take the next step” with the benchlands. He went on to say, “I want very high standards” for any proposed development on the benchland. Meeting these standards “may not be possible,” but “I’m willing to give it a try.” He indicated his intention to vote yes.

Coun. Darryl Oakley started his statement by thanking city staff “for their work and dedication to embrace the entire community and where it [the city] is going.”

Before commenting on benchlands, Oakley pointed out two aspects of the OCP he thought were important.

First, to increase the “densification” of the city making it a “walk-able community.” He also liked the OCP priority to “avoid new subdivisions” that would increase infrastructure costs at a time when the city was faced with the need to re-build and repair the existing systems – water, sewer and waste water treatment. Regarding the benchlands, Oakley said, “I understand people are upset and am glad they voiced their opinions.” He added the OCP is a high-level plan outlining the direction the city intents to take in the future. He ended saying he would vote for the OCP.

Coun. Bev Middlebrook, who led the ‘no benchland development’ movement made a long and passionate speech defending the benchland status quo. She said it was important to “save the eco-system, habitat and animals” that call the benchland home. The benchland use for recreation and walking has a long history in the city. She asked if development were to occur who was going to pay for servicing the land, but if “left alone it costs [the city] nothing.”

Other concerns voiced by Middlebrook include noise, light and air pollution generated by industrial development. She also indicated the OCP process was “dysfunctional.”

The amount of land designated for development “kept shifting and moving.” She challenged the OCP claim that 50% of the land in Marysville is green space. She also said the public meeting, held February 19, was a “barrier” for people to express their concerns about the OCP because of the “fear of speaking in public.”

Middlebrook asked if benchland development would actually lower taxes given the small amount of usable land? She urged council to “slow it down” and truly consider the hundreds of letters and emails expressing displeasure over any benchland development. Concluding her remarks, Coun. Middlebrook indicated that any benchland development would be met with “resistance from a large portion of the population.

“What business wants to face hostility from its neighbours?” She asked.

Coun. Nigel Kitto started his comments by saying the OCP is a “high level plan and details were not available.” He went on to say, several times, the people were “listened to.” He noted the Volksmark trail would remain intact and accessible to walkers, hikers and bicyclers.

Given that servicing the land “may be too costly,” development of the benchland may never happen. But, “We [the city] need to grab opportunities as they arise because [development] can’t happen just anywhere,” said Kitto.

As other councilors noted, Kitto hoped Teck brownfield lands “may be released” one day, but it would be years, even decades, before that would happen. Coun. Kitto indicated he would vote in favour of the OCP.

Mayor Don McCormick made a brief statement noting “change is difficult” and the city had, at this time, “no answers on details” for benchland development.

He added, “We don’t have a lot of options [for light industrial development],” noting the Teck lands are “our preference for industrial development.” However, they are private lands that the city has no control over.

As he has said several times during benchland discussions, the Planning Department and council will make the “decisions on details” for any development there.

“Troy [Pollock, Manager, Planning Services] and his group are looking out for the entire community,” said McCormick.

With that the vote was taken. The OCP Bylaw passed and was adopted by a majority of council.

Councilors Hoglund and Middlebrook voted in opposition to the OCP. The other Councilors and Mayor McCormick voted in favour of adopting the OCP.

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