Letter to the Editor

I am writing to express my concerns about the proposed Galloway development in Fernie. While Mr. Phillips may have asked if it’s the right development for the area, several referral agencies including the City of Fernie, Ministry of Environment, and Interior Health have stated that it is not. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, BC Parks, and Resorts of the Canadian Rockies have also requested more information and require agreements to be signed. Only Telus stands as a referral agency that supports this application.

Although I understand the potential benefits of expanding the community’s inventory of housing, I believe that this particular development goes against the most recent “Homes for People” Action Plan released by Premier Eby and Minister Kahlon on April 3.

As the Action Plan states, “Housing is a foundational problem, underpinning nearly every other challenge we face.” Does Galloway help build a foundation for the future, or add another storey on an already overburdened and tipping tower?

Bylaw No. 3213 and Bylaw No. 3214 (Lizard Creek / C H Nelson Holdings Ltd – Galloway Lands) proposes the creation of 90 one-acre million-dollar estates, which would exclude the majority of normal-income families, limiting the diversity of our community. As the Housing Action Plan states, “Too many of our communities are changing into places for the wealthy and no one else.” If this land gets developed, the region needs multi-family high-density zoning instead of million-dollar estate lots.

Furthermore, the “Homes for People” Action Plan notes that “Labour shortages are taking a toll around the globe and here in B.C., impacting every sector of our vibrant and growing economy. It is challenging to find and keep the people B.C. needs to deliver the services we all rely on and grow our economy.” Therefore, it’s crucial that we consider whether the Galloway development will help our labour shortages or exacerbate the issue.

Lastly, the Action Plan also highlights that “single-family detached homes are out of reach for many people, and one or two-bedroom condos often don’t meet the needs of people and growing families. But many communities have been zoned over time to build primarily expensive single- detached homes and high-rise condo towers.”

If we rezone this land, it will last forever, so we need to plan not just for our children but also for their great-grandchildren.

As Mayor Milligan stated during the Regional District of East Kootenay meeting last week, “We cannot ignore that this development will be here in perpetuity. It is a legacy decision that will have generational impacts for the region, and therefore we need to harmonize our outdated official community plans and hold off on this development until that time.” It’s crucial that we get this right the first time.

If you would like to make your voice heard, please attend the in-person meeting at the Catholic Hall (behind City Hall) on May 3, at 7 p.m., or join the Zoom meeting on May 4 at 7 p.m.

Lead image: Map showing location of proposed development (from RDEK board agenda package).

Troy Nixon,

Fernie

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