Following a successful counter-petition on the applications to annex two properties on Catherwood Road into the City of Revelstoke, city councillors voted unanimously to go ahead with a referendum on the matter.
Councillor Salz put forward the motion. “Because it seemed to be a contentious issue with some people and maybe the facts weren’t all indicated in a proper fashion,” he said at the Jan. 24 city council meeting.
“I feel that having a community referendum, we might be able to allow the community to make a decision on this better.”
Coun. Orlando and acting mayor for the item Coun. Nixon echoed his comments. Coun. Brothers and mayor McKee had recused themselves due to conflicts of interest.
The referendum is expected to cost the city $10,000. The question will be discussed at the next city council meeting and director of corporate administration Dawn Low said the referendum will likely go ahead in late April along with the Revelstoke School District 19 trustee election. Resident electors will be allowed to vote.
Over the weekend, it was revealed that proponents of a proposed climbing gym had been in talks with one of the land owners, developer David Evans, about potentially using his property for the adventure facility.
The two Catherwood properties are currently part of the Agricultural Land Reserve. While the application to annex these into the city will not take them out of the ALR, they are planned for future development complimentary to Revelstoke Mountain Resort. The counter-petition was strongly based on the area being used for farm land.
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