Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Michael Reeve

PARK ENCROACHMENT

Residents raise doubts about Kenna Cartwright Park encroachment needed for housing project

Jun 10, 2024 | 6:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — A group of citizens are raising concerns regarding a proposed rezoning application for a property that backs onto Kenna Cartwright Park.

credit – City of Kamloops

Tuesday (June 11) morning, Kamloops council will consider a pair of recommendations relating to the property at 1385 Rockcress Drive. The developer is looking to increase the number of units from 24 to 28 but that isn’t the main issue for those in the area. The chief concern with development is with regards to needing to encroach into the park to build a retaining wall.

“Do the development — please, it’s better than the hole in the ground. We support that. But just make it fit the site. It’s a really dangerous precedent because this developer as well as others have, probably, in the order of 15 developments to come,” said Darryl Ketter.

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While the encroachment is only temporary in nature and the developer will be required to restore the land after they complete their work, including planting two trees for every one tree removed, Ketter a former forester, doesn’t believe the natural habitat can be adequately restored.

credit – City of Kamloops

“That dry hillside you can see — that’s pine grass, and those are very rare ecological habitats. Only about 1.5 per cent of the province has that type of characteristic and it’s under threat because it’s close to the urban development in community where it exists,” said Ketter. “And it’s the constant chipping away and fragmentation of the ecology that makes it difficult to swallow.”

The group will be addressing council on Tuesday morning at the regular meeting of council, beginning at 9:30 a.m.