Skaha Lk Rd and Yorton Development

twobits
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Re: Skaha Park waterslide and mini golf

Post by twobits »

fluffy wrote:You have those numbers backwards. It was 27 in support of the development, 12 opposed. A small sample admittedly, but with those in favour more than double those opposed, a pretty good indication of where public sentiment sits.


And even with an admitted same sample, should 44% against not suggest a re visit and perhaps a larger sample before a signature on a long term lease of public lands?
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fluffy
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Re: Skaha Park waterslide and mini golf

Post by fluffy »

twobits wrote:And even with an admitted same sample, should 44% against not suggest a re visit and perhaps a larger sample before a signature on a long term lease of public lands?


Better check your math there, 12 vs 27 is 30% against. How large a minority do you feel would warrant a referendum ?
Last edited by fluffy on Jul 22nd, 2015, 6:15 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Midnite
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Re: Skaha Park waterslide and mini golf

Post by Midnite »

twobits wrote:
And even with an admitted same sample, should 44% against not suggest a re visit and perhaps a larger sample before a signature on a long term lease of public lands?


Dyslexia and poor math seem to be an issue with those opposed. 12 of 39 is closer to 31%
Darkre
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Re: Skaha Lk Rd and Yorton Development

Post by Darkre »

Twobits, your hatred for this council and the old mayor is causing you to search for conspiracies where none exist. I point you to the Expression of Interest from May 2013 http://www.penticton.ca/assets/Business/2013-EOI-01-Skaha%20Lake%20Marina%20and%20Waterfront%20Lease.pdf. In the EOI you will clearly see that the city is calling for proposals for all 3 properties and that one of the suggested uses for the property is a hotel.

"The goal of the City is to create some vibrancy at both of these significant waterfront locations. The types of developments that could meet this vision include: hotel, restaurant, retail, marina, sports, entertainment or recreation."

You will also see where the city offers to work with investors to develop this property.

"The City would like to work with the private sector to develop City owned or City leased land to create a sense of vibrancy and adventurousness at the Skaha Lake waterfront."
and
"That being said the City wants to be clear that we are open to considering other uses that will create the vibrancy we are after. The City is willing to work with respondents to navigate the public process required to amend land use bylaws so that the vision can be realized."

Now remember this was from May 2013 and would only have been allowed to be sent out for proposals with the approval of council. Not one councillor raised issue with the fact that the city was asking for proposals to develop Skaha Park at that time. If anyone on council objected to the leasing and development of city owned property by private investors that would have been the ideal time to raise these concerns with the public. As none of the councillors came forward that leads one to assume that they were either all on board with the development of this land or were at least willing to hear what proposals came forward. As to why this wasn't an election issue there are 2 possibilities. First, everyone was on board and agreed with the decision to develop this property. Second, confidentiality agreements prevented anyone from discussing it.

Also I would like to point out that while the conceptual drawings were made PUBLIC in May 2015 they were actually completed in June 2014 and they did include a waterslide at that time. Please note the date in the bottom right corner of the drawing in the link below. I'm guessing that the short term lease and delay in releasing the drawings to the public were to allow Trio to get their financing in place.
http://www.penticton.ca/assets/Community/Images/Skaha%20Marina6.jpg

So in May 2013 the old council supported the development of this land up to and including a hotel complex. Conceptual drawings were in place in June 2014. In Sept. 2014 we know council was discussing this issue as this is when the story first hit the papers that Penticton Yamaha and Marine would not have their lease renewed. Even though much of this was done behind closed doors (which is common for meetings between municipalities and investors or while discussing confidential matters relating to a private enterprise even if it impacts city property) the former owner of Skaha Marine had heard that the new proposal for the property included a water park and made mention of this in Sept. 2014 article in the newspaper. So either the former leaseholder knew more about the proposal then the old council or the old council was fully aware of what was planned for this location.

I hope you won't miss your right nut Twobits ;-)
Darkre
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Re: Skaha Lk Rd and Yorton Development

Post by Darkre »

If any mods happen to be reading this thread maybe we could have the Skaha Park portion moved to the newly created Skaha Park waterslide thread. We've definitely hijacked this thread.
twobits
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Re: Skaha Park waterslide and mini golf

Post by twobits »

fluffy wrote:

Better check your math there, 12 vs 27 is 30% against. How large a minority do you feel would warrant a referendum ?


Ooops, my bad....just did a 12/27 and that is wrong. Regardless, even 30% against on a sample size of 39 emails sent to to Jak (and can anyone verify those responses) is enough reason for pause and reflection. This is waterfront public real estate people. It is worth an exercise in scrutiny before it is leased for two generations.
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fluffy
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Re: Skaha Lk Rd and Yorton Development

Post by fluffy »

Maybe something a little less formal than a ull referendum, like the one they did for the prison question. Is the process too far along to back down on the park land inclusion?
“We’ll go down in history as the first society that wouldn't save itself because it wasn't cost effective.” – Kurt Vonnegut
twobits
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Re: Skaha Lk Rd and Yorton Development

Post by twobits »

fluffy wrote:Maybe something a little less formal than a ull referendum, like the one they did for the prison question. Is the process too far along to back down on the park land inclusion?


I could live with that.
No it is not too far along. As per yesterday's media quote from mayor Jak, he has not yet signed the lease. And should he now proceed and sign given the obvious community division as evidenced by the rally and the letters to editor page without further review and consultation, he will effectively be giving the middle finger to taxpayers.
This issue IMO is strikingly similar to the prison debate and the community division it created. Council of the time, including Mayor Ashton were in favour of submitting Penticton properties for consideration. The backlash was loud and obvious just as it is with this park proposal. Ashton and council of the time could have exercised their rights as elected officials and signed off and proceeded. And despite their clear favour towards submitting a bid for the prison, the backlash triggered further consultation....even if it was only a non binding poll. To their credit, and despite their support of the proposal, they backed off and did not submit. That Castanetter's, is an example of elected officials who respect democracy, listen to the electorate they profess to represent, and don't presume the mandate they received on one election nite as carte blanche for them to act on, or push through their own opinions.
Let's see if Mayor Jak has anything near the same class, or will he present a set of stones he views as being bigger than anyone else's cuz he won on Nov 14th.
Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard.
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