After hearing from hundreds of Summerlanders about the direction of growth in the community, consultants presented a choice of three scenarios for the municipality’s urban growth plan.
The three options are a tight and dense core development, a node and corridor model and hillside development,
“We feel we have three viable options,” said municipal planner Ian McIntosh.
The compact development model has been promoted earlier, especially by Mayor Janice Perrino who has advocated concentrating development within a 15-minute walk from the downtown core.
However, this model would also require the removal of around 45 hectares from the Agricultural Land Reserve, Jeremy Murphy, a consultant with Sustainability Solutions Group.
The hillside development model is closest to Summerland’s existing growth pattern. While it does not require the removal of agricultural land, it results in a more spread out community.
The node and corridor model puts development around existing transportation corridors. Working with this model would require the removal of around 80 hectares of land from the Agricultural Land Reserve.
McIntosh said the goal for the first phase of the consultation process was to hear from 1,000 residents.
So far, between 750 and 1,100 have responded, either at open house sessions or completing surveys.
“I am more than thrilled with that number,” he said.
He said 309 growth surveys were submitted.
On Friday, the consultants met with municipal council in the afternoon and with the public in the evening to present the three options. Consultants were also present at Action Festival to discuss the options and gather further input.
Further information on the growth options and the urban growth plan can be found at futuresummerland.com.
