A proposed residential development will be able to proceed once market conditions improve.
Vernon council has adopted a bylaw that changes zoning for the Hesperia property from agricultural to comprehensive development.
“The plan incorporates our vision for the area,” said Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe.
The city-owned Hesperia Development Corporation proposes 1,000 units of market and attainable housing being constructed on the 69 acres near Okanagan Avenue.
Last summer, the corporation announced plans were on hold because of a decline in construction and an availability of housing in the community.
However, Coun. Shawn Lee believes it is important for the city to continue with plans for Hesperia and having the approval process completed is important.
“If market demand is there and a developer is interested, the corporation can sell the land. The zoning is already done,” he said.
Ed Stranks, manager of engineering development services, says rezoning will be one less hurdle for developers.
“The more things we have in place, the easier for it to move ahead in the future,” he said.
Besides rezoning, the city has entered into a master development agreement with the Hesperia Development Corporation.
The agreement outlines the scope of on and off-site works to enable construction or sale of the lands.
It’s expected the site will be built-out over the next 15 to 20 years as demand dictates.
