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West Kelowna  

Neutral chair wanted

A group opposed to a large downtown Peachland development would like someone other than Mayor Cindy Fortin to chair an upcoming public hearing on the matter.

The public hearing, set for Jan. 30 at the Peachland Community Centre, will give the community a chance to weigh in on the municipality's desire to amend the Official Community Plan, allowing for building heights of five storeys on two properties on Beach Avenue.

The current OCP suggests a maximum of three storeys downtown, which sparked opposition that ultimately led to a court challenge, asking the height be pushed back to three storeys.

The court has yet to rule.

RCMP had to be called to a council meeting earlier this month introducing the OCP amendment after several people packed into council chambers refused to leave on orders of the fire chief because the room was over capacity.

The group opposed to the development, Friends of Beach Avenue, said that meeting "clearly exhibited disorganization, lack of control, and showcased how out of touch council is with their constituents."

"The mayor can use her prerogative to appoint an experienced chair or professional facilitator to run the meeting," the group said in an email Tuesday.

"School trustee Moira Baxter has been suggested as an excellent candidate. These propositions will surely assist in a fair, and judicious public hearing for the benefit of call."



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