A major development proposal for the Commonage has a nature group urging the community say no to the sprawl.
Since its founding in 1951, the North Okanagan Naturalists' Club (NONC) has pursued its mission to encourage knowledge of and passion for nature and conservation in the fragile ecosystems of the North Okanagan.
NONC is deeply concerned about the sprawl development being proposed by Kerkhoff Develop-Build at 580 Commonage Road.
The developer proposes re-designation of 10 parcels of land totalling 421 hectares for mixed use residential housing, parks/natural open space, and neighbourhood commercial, with a total of 3,960 housing units.
The proposal was presented Feb. 25 to Vernon city council meeting, but NONC is urging Vernon residents to "say 鈥榥o鈥� to the massive and long-term fiscal, social and environmental damage this sprawl development will visit upon our community and our region."
"While some members of council and city staff pressed for 鈥榓pproval in principle鈥� to allow the developer to hold an open house asap to 'get the pulse of the community,'鈥� said Harold Sellers, NONC president. 鈥淔or many years the community has been clear about saying 鈥榥o鈥� to sprawl developments in general, and to protecting the Commonage lands in particular.鈥�
Sellers cites Vernon鈥檚 Master Parks Plan (2015), the Regional Growth Strategy (2019), the Housing Needs Report (2024) and the What We Learned report (2024) on the first phase of the current review of Vernon鈥檚 OCP, all of which call for compact, sustainable development rather than increasing urban sprawl.
He also points out that the Environmentally Sensitive Area Mapping Study (2025) commissioned by the city to support informed decision-making around sustainable, responsible development, says of the Commonage: "The city has two areas (Commonage and Bella Vista) 鈥argely comprised of intact, natural ecosystems.
"They provide essential habitat for species at risk and represent a unique mosaic of grasslands, sparsely vegetated areas, broadleaf woodlands often associated with gully features, and woodlands. These largely contiguous natural areas provide the City with an opportunity to lead in safeguarding unique wildlife habitats and preserving natural lands for its residents to enjoy. [Pp 13-14]"
NONC recognizes the pressure on local governments to provide much-needed housing of all types. But the proposed development is pushing a discredited model that will result in greenfield development far from the city core.
It will strain existing infrastructure and services, including a huge increase in single vehicle traffic on already overloaded roads, and saddle taxpayers with long term costs for building and maintaining infrastructure.
In its recent Close to Home report the Canadian Climate Institute has targeted the Thompson-Okanagan as susceptible to losing hundreds of millions annually from new homes being built in 鈥榳ildland interface鈥� fire prone areas like the Commonage.
"NONC believes this is a bad proposal. We ask area residents to get informed, get involved, and urge council to reject this sprawl development."
