Bypass debate keeps going

Photo: Contributed

The controversial bypass issue in the city's 25 year master transportation plan just won't go away.

Vernon city council once again spent a portion of Monday's meeting debating whether to include provisions for a future city bypass in the long-range plan.

The latest version of the plan was presented to city council without a provision for securing land for a possible bypass, launching another debate on the subject.

Coun. Bob Spears said a bypass is not currently needed, but it seems like a good idea to protect the land should one be needed in the future.

Coun. Scott Anderson agreed there should be some wording to protect a section of land for a western corridor should one be needed.

However, Coun. Catherine Lord questioned the timing, noting once the wording is in place, the city would have to start protecting the corridor land.

“Do we want to do that now?” Lord asked.

But Anderson rebutted, “If not now, when?”

Spears said if the land is protected now, it could be used as parkland or other temporary uses until a corridor is needed – if ever.

“Let's just put the darn thing in the plan,” Spears implored.

Coun. Juliette Cunningham, was in support of identifying a corridor in 2008 and against the amended motion today identifying a specific corridor in the transportation Plan. 

In the end, council passed a resolution 4-3 to look at protecting land for a corridor.

Among the no votes was Mayor Akbal Mund, saying he was against putting the 2008 idea back into the plan that generated controversy due to concerns over property on the proposed route, but will abide by council's decision.

But Mund said people should not worry.

“It's in the plan, but that does not mean it will happen,” he said.