Dear Editor:
The land swap proposed by the current Summerland council leaves us shaking our heads in wonder.
We are registering our opposition to the land swap for the following reasons:
o We have studied the Official Community Plan maps and have found other suitable land (not in the Agricultural Land Reserve) within the boundaries you require.
o With the advent of climate change, scientists around the world are acknowledging the necessity for us to change. Soon you will be required within your OCP to show how you grow enough food to support your community, how you support community gardens, encourage and support young people to learn about farming and caring for the land.
o We question your economic wisdom in suggesting that once the land in question is released from the ALR, it will be available for developing affordable housing. How can you determine that? You have no right to dictate to a developer how much they can sell the land for. Nor can you dictate to a developer what materials to use or what profit they can make. We all know that once land is on the open market, anything can happen.
o As a council, you told us carriage houses and infill housing would comply with sustainable principles. Where are those principles now?
Sadly we could go on with more reasons.
We will end this by suggesting to you that the economic life of Summerland and specifically the downtown core should not be based on housing development that may or may not bring people to live, work and spend money here.
David Cox and Susan Lopatecki
Summerland
