Blog | Preservethebench

Key Issues

Canadian Horizons' latest application - here we go again...

UPDATE FROM THE SOCIETY FOR PRESERVATION OF THE NARAMATA BENCH – March 26/23 Horizon's subdivision plan with 300 metre setback from...

Another clear-cut could be coming to the Naramata Hillsides

Another clearcut is coming up Arawana Road and likely more to follow. This photo is not representative of RV park at this location, just...

The Campbell Mountain landfill buffer zone - why a 500 metre setback is important

The Landfill Buffer Zone The Operating Certificate for the Campbell Mountain Landfill (“CML”) adjacent to the proposed development site...

Kelowna said No to Canadian Horizons, Why can't we?

If Canadian Horizons is not asking for OCP or zoning revisions, some of Penticton Council think they "have to" proceed and let them build....

Developers pay for very little of infrastructure costs on hillside development - tax payers pay!

The City of Penticton and the public may think that the upfront capital that a developer pays to bring infrastructure for hillside...

Candidates answer questions on hillside development Spiller Road - Oct 15/22 Election Penticton

We have had a few requests from interested folks on who they should vote for in the upcoming election. The short answer is that it...

Interior Health and Penticton Indian Band reject Canadian Horizons development along Naramata Bench

Photo of Vista Naramata clearcut Interior Health and PIB, as stakeholders in the public engagement process kicked off in February of 2022...

Society for Preservation of the Naramata Bench urges Council to amend OCP

September, 2022 Take a look at the press release directed to Penticton Council just before the results of the public engagement process...

Traffic Issues Piling Up

Vehicular traffic on the Bench has been increasing steadily in recent years. Our own study conducted over the summer showed an increase...

Health Risks for Residents that Cannot be Ignored

The original stated intent of the Developers was to make available much needed “affordable housing” to lower income families in Penticton....

Stormwater Issues Could Lead to Legal Battles

If we are to learn from the past and look just north of the this proposed development, it is easy to see that mismanagement of stormwater...

Species that could be at risk

Canadian Horizons` Neighborhood Concept Plan (NCP) is a document that has been repealed by the adoption of the 2019 Penticton Official...

Economic Impact Threatened

The Naramata Bench is a culmination of co-existing opportunities resulting in a one-of-a-kind, world class agricultural, tourism and...

Sustainable Growth Opportunities on the Line

An area sought after for it's sustainable agricultural, cultural and recreational assets, is on the line and at the risk from a...

Development in Conflict with the Official Community Plan

Background The over-arching document that sets the land use direction for any property is the Official Community Plan (OCP). The OCP...

Far From "Affordable" housing

The developer's statement "Everyday hard-working people of this city will have the opportunity to live and afford a house and raise a...

Densification of the hillsides of the Naramata Bench, once made, cannot be undone

The Naramata Bench has enjoyed worldwide acclaim for its orchards, vineyards, wineries and natural beauty. It has captivated visitors,...

An Ecological Opportunity to develop the Naramata Bench hillside lands in the NE Sector

Open letter to Canadian Horizons, the Stewart Group and other developers. It has become obvious that there is a lot of opposition to the...

Engineering and Geotechnical Challenges

The proposed development at 1050 Spiller Road represents a significant shift in land use for the property and comes with significant and...

Environment and Safety in Focus - what about fire?

There are many concerns for the residents that surround the Spiller Road Development Proposal, from environmental to economical to...