It91裸聊视频檚 been a rocky road, but the rail trail in Sicamous finally got the green light when council unanimously approved the rezoning needed to move forward.
A second public hearing was required for the rezoning after Mayor Colleen Anderson exercised her authority to bring the matter back to council after it was originally defeated in a 4-3 split vote on Feb. 14.
Approximately 140 people attended the April 10 meeting at the Seniors Centre, with another 45 on Zoom, to plead their case for or against, with the majority of speakers being proponents of changing the properties from R-1 residential to P-3 parks.
Barbara Scott, owner of Sicamous Houseboats, said she understood some councillors91裸聊视频� initial hesitation in wanting to do their due diligence, but asked that they 91裸聊视频渄on91裸聊视频檛 be the red tape91裸聊视频� in holding up the project.
91裸聊视频淚 don91裸聊视频檛 believe for a second that there91裸聊视频檚 anyone in this room that doesn91裸聊视频檛 see the value of having this beautiful trail for us to hike on. I think everybody wants to see that,91裸聊视频� she said, adding she moved to Sicamous because of its possibilities. 91裸聊视频淚 believe this community is sitting on the edge of greatness. And I honestly believe that something like the rail trail could be the motivating factor that just gets us there.91裸聊视频�
While some opponents spoke against the zoning specifically, they did agree with Scott91裸聊视频檚 initial comment that the Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail is wanted, but aren91裸聊视频檛 sure the parks designation is the right avenue.
91裸聊视频淓verybody wants to see this rail trail completed91裸聊视频� however, we do not need to railroad 23 properties by zoning it to parks in order to make this trail happen,91裸聊视频� Natalie Sorkilmo said. 91裸聊视频淭here are other options available, softer options in the zoning - transportation corridor.91裸聊视频�
She added that P-3 zoning also raises legal issues relating to the official community plan, with a letter from a lawyer having been submitted to council in that regard.
91裸聊视频淵ou are all on notice and have been made aware,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淵es, there are legal implications to zoning it to parks. Yes, there are other options available that would make absolutely everybody happy and would allow the trail to move forward immediately.91裸聊视频�
Councillors who had previously voted against the rezoning, defended that by pointing out this pause gave them time to get additional information they had felt was missing. Coun. Gord Bushell said he was now comfortable with voting in favour, but did admit parks isn91裸聊视频檛 the best zoning.
91裸聊视频淚t was a tough decision to say no91裸聊视频� when we did vote no, it wasn91裸聊视频檛 to stop the rail trail, it was just a pause to get the right zoning. I still don91裸聊视频檛 really think it91裸聊视频檚 the right zoning91裸聊视频� but we can still adjust it or still change it to a transportation corridor,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淢yself, I would like to do it right the first time, but we don91裸聊视频檛 want to lose the funding.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檝e got to make sure we look after all our taxpayers and make a way for everyone.91裸聊视频�
The rest of council agreed the rezoning will allow the project to get started, but that construction will take while, giving them time to explore options and find the best fit for everyone.
Coun. Bob Evans, who had voted in favour the first time, reiterated his analogy from then.
91裸聊视频淭onight is good because we91裸聊视频檙e going to get this truck in first gear. First gear isn91裸聊视频檛 fast, but it is moving,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e going to get this done91裸聊视频e91裸聊视频檙e going to get going, and solutions will come as we get going.91裸聊视频�
Third reading of the rezoning carried unanimously to a round of applause and cheers from the standing-room-only crowd. It will be brought forward for final adoption after approval is received from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
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