The fate of old-growth trees on a Berry Road property eyed for redevelopment was a concern for residents during a public hearing Tuesday night (Jan. 9).
The commercial development is planned for 3130 Berry Road at Newene Road. The site was previously home the Lake Country Boys and Girls Club (LCBGC).
One area resident stated concern about the trees, which are potentially hundreds years of old, being lost to construction.
The resident also urged that the former LCBGC building be saved and repurposed.
鈥淏ut instead he鈥檚 (developer) talking about we need to be efficient鈥n his use of money, fair enough. But if we focus on just efficiency we end up with a not very attractive community.鈥�
Applicant Ken Harvey noted that 鈥渨e haven鈥檛 got to the point whether or not we can keep the trees.鈥�
He also pointed out that the building is not salvageable.
鈥淏ecause of the contaminants in the building and the structural issues to bring it back up to code for it to be useable.鈥�
Representatives from St. Francis Lake Country Anglican Church, next door to the subject property, had concerns about the impact of construction on the many programs it operates seven days a week out of their building, including childcare services.
Several residents said the project would be good for the community.
Council originally considered the development in Dec. 2020 which included approximately 3,000 square metres of retail and 460 sq. mtrs. of restaurant space.
In April 2021, the applicant provided council with a new concept with 1,356 sq. mtrs. of commercial space and 154 multi-family dwelling units.
READ MORE: Power fully restored in Lake Country, Vernon late Tuesday night
READ MORE: 麻豆精选 firm joins with First Nations to redevelop former Merritt tourism centre
