Annexation Clarification Sought

My perception is that Directors Fleming and Macnabb are not seeking a clarification of the rules that govern boundary extensions but rather a change in the application of those rules or new rules all together particularly with regard to annexation requests that come to the City of Vernon.

When property owners in EAs find their needs are no longer being met they are free to make application to the province to be included in a neighbouring municipality that will be able to fulfill those needs.  There are clear criteria that must be met. It is not a rubber stamp process.

 The tone of both recent report to the RDNO on small annexations and the draft OCP for EAs B and C clearly express the concern and resentment over the folios lost piecemeal to the city over the last decade. This is understandable but the stage for these ongoing conflicts was set long ago when the Foothills subdivision was put in place.This subdivision set the geography and service availability realities that are at the root of the problems at least in area C. A solution needs to be found.

I believe that a solution can be found. I also believe that the status quo so energetically defended in the EAs B and C draft Official Plan may not be tenable. Determining ultimate boundaries offers a solution to the uncertainty that plagues our neighbours. The provision of services to residents of an electoral area does not have an appeal to the City. Something needs to done.

Perhaps the attention drawn by the proposed letter to the minister will prompt the Province to be clear about its governance priorities with respect to the long term viability of electoral areas bordering urban centers. Certainly this is not a new issue.

Cheers 

Shawn Lee a Vernon Taxpayer