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New neighborhood proposed for Juniper Cove

In Carr's Landing a development proposal would create a 168 home neighborhood in the Juniper Cove area
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Andrew Bruce

A proposal to develop a 168 home neighborhood at 17520 Juniper Cove Road in Carr’s Landing has come before council…again. Last week an open house was held to determine the level of public support for the project.
“This same proposal or one very similar to it has come before previous councils as early as 2000,” says Carr’s Landing councilor Barb Leamont. “In the past it’s always been cost prohibitive because of infrastructure upgrades that would be needed. Carr’s Landing Road alone would need $3 to $5 million worth of work.”
The development, as proposed, does however come with some infrastructure improvements for the community at large.
The developers would provide a significant upgrade to the Coral Beach water utility. A new water pump would replace the aging one that currently pumps water out of Okanagan Lake. Water quality on the system would be improved with a deep water intake at a depth of 150 feet as well as a new ultraviolet water treatment facility. Fire safety in the area would benefit from a new reservoir at the highpoint of the property. The reservoir would also be used to supply domestic drinking water.
Sewage from the development would be treated on-site at a facility built to a similar standard as the municipal treatment plant on Beaver Lake Road. The treated effluent would be disposed of through a leaching field, also located on-site. Jeff Oland, the consultant who prepared the sewage plans for the project says there would be opportunities to use the treated effluent for irrigation elsewhere in the development.
The neighborhood plan would also contribute some new walking trails to the community.
Despite development plans being turned down by previous local politicians, the development group is confident that in time the 96 acre property will be developed.
“It’s going to happen eventually,” said Marvin Dean, one of the developers, in response to being asked why the project was before council again.
Public consensus at the open house was a little less enthusiastic about the development.
“I just don’t think it’s appropriate for the area. What about the kids that come with the families, there’s nothing for them to do out here. Traffic on Carr’s Landing Road will increase for sure,” said Margaret Carruthers who turned out to the open house with her husband to see what is being proposed.
For the project to go ahead the first step would be to have council approve an amendment to the official community plan that would designate the area as a growth area in Lake Country. Council will use the input gathered at the open house when they consider the amendment request at a future council meeting.



Barry Gerding

About the Author: Barry Gerding

Senior regional reporter for Black Press Media in the Okanagan. I have been a journalist in the B.C. community newspaper field for 37 years...
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