We love our rural lifestyle close to the City!
400 Unit Development of Ponderosa Point
This would be devastating to the Community. Indeed, the plan has a provision for an expansion to 400 units. There is no comfort knowing it would take only 80% of individual owners to sell Ponderosa. The offer could be too good to refuse.
Ponderosa states no plan for development. Imagine the pushback otherwise.
In whose best interest?
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen
would like us to believe that the installation of a sewer collection system is in the best interest of the environment. That a collection system will eliminate seepage of septic fields and generate economic benefits within the Community. There is no evidence of this according to the Kaleden Irrigation District.
How much will the project cost?
More than we're being told.
If this project becomes the first human endeavour completed on budget, one should expect either a one-time upfront payment of about $25K, or an option to finance over 30 years (total cost - $35-40K each). Annual maintenance fees of about $1200.
Does too much of this budget rely on a quote tendered from a single private contractor?
Residents will also be responsible for the cost to 'decommission existing septic' and to connect to the sewer. Translation: Sewage lines brought to your driveway, and the rest of the costs are ours to bear. Excavating etc. (the brunt of the cost of just replacing your septic system). No estimation of these additional costs provided.
If you choose the amortization route, but then decide you'd like to pay a lump sum down, you won't be able to, instead you're committed to paying the full amount of interest (over $13,000). Even if you sell the property, the new owner will be on the hook. The structure and the terms are not reasonable. Imagine receiving an inheritance and not being able to pay down your mortgage, or in this case your Sewer Debt?
If we vote yes, we should be ready to absorb cost overruns as the Provincial grant is fixed, as is what the RDOS can borrow. If costs override, according to Ken Oliver when questioned, properties could be excluded. This is either an ill thought-out response or counter intuitive to Economics of Scale. Ken also alludes there will be a "go, no-go point" post election when final plans are concluded etc. The referendum itself should be that point, (unless we're being cajoled).
If we are indeed encouraged to have our say, say No.
*******Let's not forget, we have a provincially mandated, presumably expensive, water treatment system upgrade by 2025 that must be done*******
What Would the Sewer Extension Project Entail?
Odour. At our Beach.
Although one shouldn't expect any odour initially, ask Osoyoos how difficult it can be to determine the source.
Should we be concerned about the RDOS incentive to keep this expensive project on budget when it comes to the intangible aspects?
The Alder Lift Station, (or poo house, 198-206 Alder), will take away one of the public beach accesses. The second, and major terminating sewage point will be next to the BOAT LAUNCH.
To quote their very own promotional material, "odour control will be a major design factor..."
Just ask google if lift stations give off odour, or hydrogen sulfide.
Try enjoying anything with even a faint scent of sewage. Anything. This is almost enough reason alone to vote no.
Kaleden residents, upon a sewer system approval will be responsible for the ongoing maintenance and operational costs of the pre existing treatment plant in OK Falls.
-A financial incentive influencing the RDOS.
Why is this project important now?
According to the RDOS: The individual septic systems within the Kaleden community are aging and prone to failure as they age.
Individual septic systems are all different ages; some brand new! Unsurprisingly septic systems are one of humans' first and simplest systems, and although not common, a well maintained septic system can last almost indefinitely.
Maintenance
People with septic systems tend to know what, and what not to flush. Almost all of rural BC is on septic systems.
Knowledge
Kaledenites know a septic system can be repaired for far less than the estimated capital costs for the proposed sewer system. In fact, many own the equipment to do it!
Stigma
Indeed, almost half of the homes in several of the Atlantic Provinces do not use sewer systems.
PEI -50%
New Brunswick -57%
Nova Scotia - 63%
Our Future
Our say.
If we let it begin, the cacophony of construction will never stop.
For years we will hear them work, smell their work, have limited access to parts of the beach, boat launch, roads and KVR trail, and finally, when it's all over, the new Construction will slowly begin; the Development of our precious Kaleden.
Nothing we could do will impact our Community and Neighbourhood more than by enabling Developers and greedy speculators.
Density.
Additional Information
- Unlike Vancouver, Kelowna or even Penticton, we have no pressing need to create density (due to immigration, migration etc)
- We only have a post office. There are no amenities or services for a larger population
- Just one elementary school
- A small Volunteer Fire Department
- People don't move to Kaleden for financial reasons
- We don't need multi-family density. A condo in Kaleden?
- Vacant land, and open expanses contribute to the rural feel
- With more fences, our wildlife becomes evermore resigned to the roads
- Sub-division will provide economic opportunities to a small handful of landowners, an opportunity effectively subsidized by the others
- Our park and boat launch are busy enough
- Our streets are narrow, hilly, unpainted and windy. We don't need more traffic. We are already dependent on car travel
- Property values grow more slowly when communities become less appealing.
- Sewer systems support Density. Density never supports Wildlife
Let's not allow the RDOS to take advantage of Kaleden by running us like a business.
