News Leader News for April 29, 2008
DAM DISCUSSION ENGAGES COUNCIL
During a presentation April 21 by Similkameen Valley Planning Society (SVPS), Chair George Hanson described to Town Council some of the activities in which SVPS has been involved. One of the activities mentioned was participation in ongoing studies that may lead to a dam/reservoir on the Similkameen River. Town Council was very interested in what was being discussed at the international level.
SVPS is managing a study of the potential for a dam on the Similkameen, using all of the previous studies as a base line. Council was concerned about the proposal by people in Washington State who want to build a high level dam at Shanker's Bend, south of the border, which would flood into the lower Similkameen Valley.
Hanson told Council there is no official support on either side of the border. What is under study now is not two dams, but just one low level dam on the Similkameen River, in the upper reaches of the river.
Mayor Randy McLean commented that Fortis BC has expressed interest in a dam for power generation. Hanson responded that there is an equal interest by the Americans in water conservation.
COUNCIL APPROVES BARGAIN FOR AIRPORT
Fuelling equipment for Princeton Airport was a bargain at $77,000 plus tax. Town Council had expected to pay as much as $300,000. The deal included one 13,500 litre static fuel tank with pump, one fuel tank truck with pumps, filters and meters and one 3/4 ton pickup with pump, filter and meter. Councillor Ray Jarvis, who has promoted airport development for the past five years, told Council, "Fuel at the airport is a big asset to our community. It will draw planes to our area."
The equipment is one-third funded by the provincial government, making it a major bargain for the Town of Princeton.
COUNCIL LIKES SUBDIVISION PLAN
A property located in the Similkameen Avenue area is slated for residential development this year. Town Council gave first and second reading to rezoning bylaws that will change the area from light industrial to single family dwellings and duplexes.
Under a company named Princeton Trails, the rezoned 1.85 hectare property would be subdivided into 22 lots fronting Similkameen Avenue and backed by the TransCanada Trail.
The plan fits in neatly with the revised Official Community Plan (OCP) in the works at this time. The plan calls for removal of light industry from the area and rezoning to residential.
While the new subdivision will enhance the Similkameen Avenue area, the developers want to keep the lots affordable for the construction of affordable homes. A public hearing regarding the subdivision plan will be held May 20 at Town Hall.
The owners of the property have been coming to Princeton to golf, and decided they would like to remain here. They believe others would like to do the same thing.
TOWN BALKS AT COMMITMENT TO EDO
George Hanson, Chair of Similkameen Valley Planning Society (SVPS) pleaded with Princeton's Town Council to make a longterm commitment to help pay for an economic development officer for the valley.
At the April 21 Town Council meeting, Hanson outlined all of the good work done in the past year by the economic development officer, work that included benefits for Princeton.
Under the present arrangement, other municipal and regional areas have signed on to a bylaw out of Regional District to hire an economic development officer for the Similkameen Valley.
Princeton has never signed on, but has paid a portion of the economic development officer salary. The plan was to provide an economic development officer for the whole valley because none of the SVPS members could afford to hire one independently.
Hanson stated there is an element of instability created by Princeton not signing on, as the economic development officer and clerk do not know whether they will be working from one year to the next.
Town Council was not persuaded, on the grounds that they might want to back out at some point and hire an economic development officer for just Princeton.
