West Kelowna City Council has said no to the massive Blackum Bay Development proposed for the Casa Loma area. Council voted six to one against it. Area resident John Martin says he and his neighbours couldn't be happier.
"It was a very proud moment to have council vote on our side as far as the concerns of the Casa Loma community as well as West Kelowna." he said.
Residents have been pushing their concerns hard. They were worried about everything from road access to fire safety, and to infrastructure such as the water and sewer systems. Fire services and potential wild fires were a big concern.
"I'd like to think that evacuation issues and the wild fire issue as well as the fire service that is available here in West Kelowna couldn't contend with a project of this size," Martin added.
Council heard residents concerns but suggested the developer did not. Martin agreed.
"In my situation, being more of a fire expert with the one road in, one road out I can't stand for any further development in the Casa Loma area," he said. "Because of the egress situation and the overtaxing and burden on Campbell Road as it stands right now."
The project included 348 aparments, 120 hotel rooms, 60 townhomes and a 241 slip marina.
Council did encourage the developer to come back with a revised development proposal.