The Summerland Chamber of Commerce received only a handful of responses to a survey about the proposed Banks Crescent development.
The development proposal is for a 380-unit seniors housing complex. New Essence Health Care Management Services Ltd.would develop the property. Once in place, the facility would be run by the Lark Group, with health care provided by SaintElizabeth Health Care.
The land proposed for this development has been farmed, but is not within the Agricultural Land Reserve. It is withinSummerland’s Urban Growth Area.
The chamber survey was sent to the more than 700 chamber members early in January, inviting members to share their thoughts about the proposal and about development in Summerland in general.
“We received 15 responses overall — a much lower number than we had anticipated,” said Erick Thompson, president of the chamber.
Of the responses, 15 were not from chamber business members. Their responses were not included in the survey results.
The 13 responses from chamber members represent less than two per cent of the Summerland business members. Of those who responded, 40 per cent are larger employers. The rest are self-employed or two-person businesses.
Two of the respondents were opposed to the Banks Crescent proposal. One stated that the development is not in the right location and does not fit into the densification profile for the community. The other mentioned the environmental impacts and the location, which is too far from the core of the community.
Environmental concerns have been raised since the project was introduced in fall. These include concerns about an aquifer in he area, the potential effects of the development on the trout hatchery and the potential consequences of building a development of this size on the slope.
Others who responded to the survey were in favour, provided the environmental is protected.
Gary Tamblyn, owner, developer and chief economic officer with New Essence, has said the construction phase would employ200 to 300 workers. Once the facility is in place, it is expected to add 75 to 100 permanent jobs, with a total value of $3 to$4 million annually.
The development proposal is before council. At present, it is as second reading. Before the third reading, council must hold a public hearing on the development. This is expected to take place in late March.
