Photo: City of Vernon

It would be unlike anything else in Vernon. 

Developers of a potentially massive 162-lot project presented their plans to council Monday. 

The 20-acre development would be built on the McMechan reservoir site (located at 901 39 Avenue), and be completed over five phases of 40 to 50 home builds.  

The concept is for a neighbourhood of single-family detached homes, duplexes, townhouses, rowhomes, filled with parks, laneways, green spaces and commercial units. 

"The development concepts for this site address many of the things Vernon residents have told us they want to see in their community, including more parks, better trail connectivity and more types of housing to choose from,” said Mayor Mund. “We look forward to hearing the ideas that the community brings forward to make this neighbourhood even better.”

Vernon Reservoir Developments Ltd. approached the city about the property last spring. Eventually, the two sides agreed on a sale price of just under $6.5 million.

The project is far from a done deal, it still requires the developer to apply to rezone the land and obtain a phased development agreement. 

The developer will also have to undertake all of the engineering, planning and site preparation necessary for development.

Vernon Reservoir Developments Ltd. pitched its concept to a receptive council, with only Scott Anderson opposing the project. 

Anderson said for transparency reasons, he would have liked to see the sale of the land go out to tender. He also expressed fear that should the real estate market bubble burst a project like this could fail. 

Before being decommissioned in 2006, the site was used as a water reservoir for Greater Vernon Water.

The city has been struggling to find a use for the site, citing any potential projects would require a significant investment.

The public can view the proposal on Engage Vernon. There will also be an open house on January 31 from 4 p.m. -7 p.m. at the Vernon Recreation Centre.