Councillor involved in suit

Photo: CityState Consulting Services

In a round-about way, a Peachland councillor is suing his own municipality.

Coun. Terry Condon recently made a financial contribution to the Friends of Beach Avenue, an organization that has filed suit against the municipality over a five-storey development slated to be built on Beach Avenue.

The group is suing the municipality and its Lower Mainland developer, saying the project contravenes Peachland's Official Community Plan, Neighbourhood Plan and Downtown Plan, which all state Beach Avenue development should be restricted to three storeys.

Condon was the lone councillor to vote against the developer when it came before council in September.

He doesn't necessarily find it ironic he is financially supporting a group suing the municipality.

"I was looking at their organization's Facebook page, and it outlines the values of their organization, which were entirely consistent with mine and the way that I voted, so I offered my support," said Condon, who stipulated he has nothing to do with the lawsuit.

"My mother always said to me: 'put your money where your mouth is,' so my support went along with a $20 bill. I don't think that's going to finance a lawsuit very long, but that's what I did."

Condon says some believe this all means Condon is suing his own municipality, an interpretation he doesn't agree with.

"I would rather think I am involved in supporting an organization whose values support the OCP of the District of Peachland."

He says he's not against development, and was supportive of the original concept brought forward by the developer, which included a three-storey building.

"Even that didn't fit with the OCP, but it was close enough that I think a development was easily negotiable. But, what we ended up with was something that has no resemblance at all to the OCP. And, it's the OCP I am trying to protect."