Forksdale development given third reading

On Tuesday evening, Merritt City Council held a virtual public hearing to consider the proposed development along Forksdale avenue.

Due to COVID-19 members of the public were not allowed to attend the meeting and submitted written statements both for and against the proposal.

While the majority of letters received by City Hall were in opposition to the development there were also people in support of the zoning and OCP amendments.

While questions were raised about whether the zoning would be appropriate, City Staff and Planning Manager Don McArthur was able to answer most of the concerns raised by the public regarding traffic, property values, infrastructure upgrades, and more.

In the end, the development received third reading through a narrow 4-3 vote. Councillors Adam Etchart, Mike Bhangu, and Melvina White were in opposition.

“I know its tempting to what to keep things the same, that’s our comfort level, but we’re in a difficult position. We have way too much reliance on residential taxation, we complain about high taxes constantly, they complain about lack of an industrial base, unemployment. We have concerns about water availability and restrictions, and yet we restrict higher density developments which are more water conservative than simply having low density, big yards,” said Coun. Kurt Christopherson.

“We lack housing options for all sorts of people. We resist growth and yet want to make sure our hospital serves us well and expands, we moan and groan about our city centre and all the business are out of business, vacant stores and leakage. We complain about our aging water supply system and our sewage, roads, and snow removal. Basically, what I’m saying is we need to change, we need to grow, we need to take chances, or Merritt is going to die. We need to have growth,” added Christopherson. “It’s taking a step forward but not without its difficulties.”

The development will still need to pass the fourth and final reading at a later council meeting.