SUMMERLAND REVIEW THE VOICE OF OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1908
VOLUME
67
-
ISSUE
NO.
19
•
S U M M E R L A N D,
WWW.SUMMERLANDREVIEW.COM
B.C.
•
T H U R S D AY,
M AY
15,
2014
WHAT’S INSIDE:
Since 1977, the Summerland Pleasure Painters have been developing their artistic skills.
Grant funding
Since the 2013 provincial election, organizations in this riding have received more than $1.5 million in grant money.
Page 8
Mental health
A Summerland student organized a recent event to help raise awareness about mental health issues.
Page 9
Providing service
A Summerland business has received an award for outstanding customer service and satisfaction.
Page 10
Page 13
YOUR SMILE I don’t have a solution but I do admire the problem.
PA G E S
•
$1.15
Soccer competition
John Arendt Summerland Review
Alex Varchol of the Summerland Secondary School girls’ soccer team jumps for the ball during a game against Oliver last Thursday. The Summerland team competed at the Valleys on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Please see Page 15 for related story.
INCLUDING
Small housing allowed by John Arendt
Page 19
Summerlanders will participate in Bike to Work Week later this month.
20
Zoning amended to permit pocket neighbourhood
Creating art
Biking to work
•
An amendment to Summerland’s Official Community Plan and zoning bylaw will allow for the creation of a pocket neighbourhood at the site of the former RMCP detachment. On Monday, municipal council voted to prepare the necessary amendments to create the small development. The development would have 14 single family houses on the 0.5 hectare property. Vehicle parking would be in a central location, but the homes would be no more than 22 metres from the parking spaces. Municipal planner Ian McIntosh said the development would have smaller, more affordable homes close to the core of the community. “It’s an infill type of zone,” he said. In March, 2012, a plan was presented to set up a pocket neighborhood at the former police detachment site. Members of council
GST
said the plan was important as it would provide affordable housing options for the community. In 2013, a request for proposals went forward, but McIntosh said only one proposal came forward. That proposal did not meet the municipality’s requirements. Two proposals for purchase were later received and the municipality is considering an agreement with one of the developers. Municipal staff have selected one of the proposals and are negotiating an agreement. The zoning and community plan changes are needed before construction can begin. McIntosh said the cost of the homes would be between $260,000 to just over $300,000. This is considerably lower than the average assessed value of a home in Summerland. According to figures released by B.C. Assessment at the beginning of the year, the average value of a home in the community was $419,000, a slight increase from a year earlier. See PARKING Page 3
Funds marked for youth projects by John Arendt
The Summerland Charity Shop Society — Penny Lane will fund special projects to benefit the youth in Summerland. “We’re looking for legacy-type projects in the community,” said Bruce Hallquist of Penny Lane. He said money is available for legacy projects
with a budget of between $100,000 and $400,000. The projects must result in a substantial physical presence in the community. Purchasing uniforms for a sports team and studies about an upcoming initiative would not be considered, but a building or a facility to benefit youth would be
considered. “We’re interested in building a larger project for the youth in Summerland,” Hallquist said. “We’re not talking about day-to-day operations.” From 2002 to 2013, the society operated the Penny Lane Bargain Outlet on Victoria Road North. Since 2003, Penny Lane
has provided more than $2 million for a variety of youth projects, including school counsellors, school breakfast programs, the Summerland Asset Development Initiative, the young writers’ club and others. When the store closed last year, organizers said Penny Lane’s commitment to youth in the com-
munity would continue. Those who have an idea for a legacy project are asked to send a oneor two-page proposal with the legacy project idea, contract information and a budget to summerlandpennylane@gmail. com by June 15. The successful applicants will be contacted by July 30.