Re: Brentwood Rd Update

Greetings Bloggers,

Although the Association has been on a small hiatus (Month of August 2014) there has been a development Re: the proposed gravel pit on Brentwood Road.  The meeting was reported in the Morning Star recently,  if anyone had missed it, the link is below.
http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/news/272220811.html

The Association is pleased that the local directors (of the R.D.N.O.) voted (on a motion) to not forward the application to the A.L.R.  The process was followed to come to this decision.  This sensitive (or emotional) issue has many facets to it and a lengthy history.  We are grateful for the residents of Brentwood Road as well as all those whom signed the petition, to voice opposition to a commercial development in a pristine ecological corridor (for almost all wildlife.)  Also, the view for the Grey Canal Trail will also be left as planned, a picturesque scene that many tourists will photograph.

As like the case of "BX Falls" can be found on youtube...(the link is the list of videos available.)
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=bx+falls

This ends our short entry while the Assoc. was on it's 'break' and we will blog about any future developments.

July/August Entry

Greetings Bloggers,

This entry finds all of us busy with our gardens, holidays, and the GREAT summer weather.

This entry will start and be centered around the information provided to the BX Swan Lake Community Assoc. from the Brentwood Rd. residents.  The ones that are concerned about the possibility of the "BX Gravel Pit" going ahead and starting operations.  Below is the information provided to us (in condensed format.)

• The location of this pit has environmental considerations due to the close proximity to the BX Creek.  Run-off of silt and other particulate as well as the riparian area consideration.  The road (that would need to be upgraded for industrial traffic) is only 6 M away from the Creek.  Also private wells owners near this site are concerned about possible impact.
• Concerns for Air Quality and Audio Pollution.  Despite the adjacent neighbours to this property/enterprise, some residents of the Foothills subdivision complained about increase of dust and noise when this property was worked last year.
• The electoral area this pit could be in is one of the densest in the local area.  There are 476 households within 1 KM of this site.
• The Elementary School will be passed by the increased traffic that this pit would generate (by dumptrucks with trailers.)

Regional District of the North Okanagan has this application cited for review at their August 20th meeting @ 4 PM.  There will be no submissions allowed at this meeting.  So, if you are opposed to this site for a gravel pit, you can email, send or drop off letters to the N.O.R.D. Board of Directors BEFORE August 20th, 2014.

Regional District of North Okanagan
9848 Aberdeen Road
Coldstream, BC V1B 2K9

Phone: 250-550-3700
Fax:      250-550-3701
Email:    info@rdno.ca

Office Hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

Here is the link to the directors and their respective areas http://www.rdno.ca/index.php/about/directors .
In order to ensure all directors are aware of the resident's concerns, please "cc" ('carbon copy') or send an email to stopbxcreekpit@outlook.com Also, use this email to contact the residents if you have not signed the petition.

The assoc. can be emailed @ 'bxslca@hotmail.com'

We hope to see support for the residents at the aforementioned meeting or at least in letter form.

P.S. The association will not be meeting in the month of August but will resume in Sept. 2014.  

P.S.S. Crow intelligence test   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVaITA7eBZE

Last Post in June

Greetings,

So Canada Day is tomorrow.  We wish everyone a safe and a spectacular "Canada Day".  However your celebrating this national holiday.  As John G. Diefenbaker once said “I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.”

Hopefully everyone's garden is now a 'growing concern'.  If not, get some plants in the ground!

From the last meeting, the idea has gained support for some promotional 'bumper' stickers to reflect support for the area known as the "B.X."  Some local history can be found through a local area cidery.  The link for the history (and their farm) is as follows:  http://thebxpress.com/the-bx/  Although only one page, it covers a large portion of the history of the "B.C. Express Company".


(Barnard’s Express At Yale. Provincial Archives)

So if anyone has any suggestions for the 'bumper stickers' that they think would reflect or support the local area we live in (Electoral Areas "B" & and "C".) Then please email them to bxslca@hotmail.com, (Thank-You in advance.)  If the slogan is chosen we will post the author's name (with their permission) on this blog (as space on the sticker is at a premium.)

Lastly, for something completely different.  Here's one for all the fisherman out there
"Whale of a Tale" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcXU7G6zhjU

Until next time, keep bloggin'

March Recap/Update

Greetings again,

Kinda tardy on this entry but it feels like summer and the garden calls (but no more hail, thanks.)  Anyways, the items for conversation are as follows:

I) Water Presentation by Zee Marcolin and John Bartell from Greater Vernon Water Service.  The presentation approx. 2 hours.  We thank them for the plentiful information provided and look forward to further discussion on inquiries/questions that membership generates.
Power Point presentation outlined:
· The history and development of Greater Vernon Water.
· Current separation plans for potable/agricultural water
· Efforts in conservation, penalties for over users, equity for all users
· Agricultural and home rates.
· Monitoring of unmetered standpipes
· Monitoring of home/garden use of agricultural water
· Exploration of innovative irrigation practices
· Investigation of unaccounted water (about 30%)
· Development of water rates
· The need for Cross-Connection Valves to prevent contamination of potable water.
· Drought protocol
Questions/concerns were raised by members:
· Lack of clarity of memos etc sent out by Greater Vernon Water.  Request that information  be provided in reader friendly language (I.E. plain English)
· Mounting costs involved in applying for, metering and maintenance of Cross-Connection systems for the small holding residents.
· Low water pressure during summer for some residents
· Frequent loss of water when power cut to pumps
· Lack of understanding for residents who had purchased irrigation rights at considerable cost prior to the current water authority changes
· Lack of monitoring of unmetered water users causing resentment among paying users

Please leave your questions (if different than above) and comments in the section below.  If we get enough inquiries, we may ask to see if the presentation is available for public sharing/viewing.

II)  Adopt-A-Trail Information which is being discussed by the directorship.  Here's the full application form for everyone'e perusal.

http://www.rdno.ca/forms/Adopt-a-Trail-Application.pdf

We implore comments/inquiries regarding this opportunity.  Some comments have been voiced but not all compiled yet.  Comments can be emailed to 'bxslca@hotmail.com' or left in the section below.

Water Rate Info. (Greater Vernon Water)

Hello Everyone,

     For your information, there will be two staff (from G.V.W.) with a presentation on "Vernon Water - Agricultural Water Service."  Specific information from the presentation isn't available to us currently but this presentation will be approx. 20 min with question period to follow.  Meeting will be May 20th, 2014 @ 7 PM (Room T.B.A.) at the "People Place" (#101 - 3402, 27th Ave. Vernon, B.C.)

If anyone would like to R.S.V.P. (as seating is limited,) please do so through 'bxslca@hotmail.com'.

More information will be provided as we receive it.

April 22nd, 2014

Greetings bloggers,

Hopefully everyone had a enjoyable Easter.  Hard to believe April is almost over and the recent amount of 'liquid sunshine' is a temporary condition.  "April showers bring May flowers."  (Helps in the water bill dept.)
Speaking of water, there's been some mention of the "Master Water Plan" http://www.rdno.ca/index.php/services/engineering/water/greater-vernon-water/master-water-plan despite the length, if people have questions about various subjects (rates, distribution, allotments, criteria, etcetera)  The subjects are linked on the left side of the webpage.

Next Year's compliance for "Backflow Valve Tests"  (Necessary for water turn on.)
http://www.rdno.ca/index.php/services/engineering/water/greater-vernon-water/cross-connection-control-program

For Agricultural Customer(s)
http://www.rdno.ca/index.php/services/engineering/water/greater-vernon-water/agricultural-customers 

Of course we welcome comments or questions, please leave them in the comment section below or email the association at bxslca@hotmail.com.

Directorship election went smoothly.  Some old faces in new seats but most remain the same.  Any interested members that would like to seek directorship status may do so by attending the meetings and meeting society's constitutional requirements.  However, members are invited to attend meetings without being interested in directorship.

Once the sunny days return, a good physical activity is hiking and the trail system has various options.  Link from RDNO:  http://www.rdno.ca/index.php/services/recreation/greater-vernon-parks-recreation-culture/parks-trails

This concludes this blog entry.  Hope everyone stays dry and warm!!!

Post A.G.M. 2014

Hello All,
     We would like to thank all that attended the Annual General Meeting at the Best Western Vernon Lodge.  The meeting was well attended with approximately thirty renewing or new members and a few guests.  (Almost filled the small meeting room to capacity.)  Which we like to see of course, not complaining.

     Laura Frank presented the Official Community Plan at it's current stage.  Information was collected previously from residents and the main comments centered around the rural lifestyle being maintained as well as the rural areas remaining 'clean' and open from development.  It is not fully completed and for more information and the 112 page report can be found at this link http://www.rdno.ca/index.php/services/planning-building/planning-projects/official-community-plan-for-electoral-areas-b-c-review 
Please share comments through the R.D.N.O. website above.

     The proposed gravel pit seems to be at an impasse due to the R.D.N.O. and the A.L.C. needing to review the plan before the Ministry of Mines and Energy can approve it.  The owner still has been somewhat active, but the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has weight restrictions on the gravel road to access the site.  So, although it isn't totally done in process, it seems this one may be slowed in development vs the proposed gravel pit in Spallumacheen area.

     Parks agreement is completed, and the change is substantial for the areas involved.  To summarize, Area "B" concludes with 3 parks under their"sub-regional" jurisdiction (which is down from partially funding seven to eight parks previously.)  Area "C" acquires control of parks in their jurisdiction, specifically "BX Ranch Park" now can have maintenance done (contracted) by whom is chosen by the R.D.N.O. and not the Greater Vernon Parks Staff.  This saves both regional areas considerable funds, we can post the total savings value once the minutes of this meeting are released.  We think you will be surprised but we don't want to post inaccurate figures. 

     The Swan Lake Corridor was discussed and there will be more to come on this subject.  Ministry of Highways needs to complete their "new" survey before the "Stickle Rd." can be improved.  Improvements include a lane for speed reduction when turning onto the road and a merge lane (much like the left turn near Vernon Square) for getting onto the highway.  Presently, drivers have about 50 ft to get to highway speed.  We remain optimistic that these changes will reduce the number of fatalities that have occurred at that location.

     Annexation is an ongoing topic that had plenty of discussion.  The proposed annexation of properties along Pleasant Valley Road includes Butcher Boys.  This may impact the store's planned renovation due to the increased costs of services and taxes re: Regional District vs City of Vernon.  We hope they can have a choice in this decision, however, time will tell what actually will transpire.  It was noted that the City of Vernon (we will post the numbers in the next blog entry,) over time (since 2006) the total area annexed from Area "B" and "C" (and sections of the "Commonage" area) total the current size of the City of Vernon currently.  So since the study from 2008, one option to stop the 'piecemeal' land annexations by the city would be becoming a "township" (so that would mean Area "B" and "C" have election of a mayor and a couple of councilors, the meeting place would be rented from R.D.N.O. at the Aberdeen location.)  If one is interested, you can see the results in our (quite early) posts.

     So, a appreciative "Thank-You" to all who showed interest and attended.  We always welcome more members and from the membership, those who would be able to become directors.  Stay tuned for more info.

     Before we forget, we would like to wish everyone a "Happy Easter" and welcome the sunny spring weather!