To the Kettle Valley Developer and the decision makers at the City of Kelowna: 

We, the petition signees, are in favor of preserving "the Heart of Kettle Valley", our neighborhood field and green space, which has become a vital part of maintaining an urban balance between development and unobstructed green space for all to use. Its development would negatively impact all us residents today and any future residents that may move into the area. Hence we support the cause of the action group that started as: 

The Association to Preserve The Heart of Kettle Valley

Facebook >> https://www.facebook.com/PreserveTheHeartOfKettleValley/

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Proposed Development & Impact:

The currently proposed development plans range from 160+ Townhouse Units to 80+ Single Family Units, which will severely:

-  impact the available field and surrounding slopes and green space, which is the only area of its kind in the upper southern slopes community of Kettle Valley

-       increase the already congested main arterial roads leading up to Kettle Valley by adding potentially 160-220 cars based on the developer’s calculations

-       bring a potential of equally many children (160-220) to the neighborhood based on the current attractiveness of the KV community, but not providing for more space at the local Elementary School. Chute Lake Elementary is already/again at maximum capacity of ~ 480 children.

These development proposals require an OCP amendment and a Text Amendment to the Zoning Bylaw to change the existing Comprehensive Development zone and will require a public participation process. Make your voice & input heard!

Preserve the Heart of Kettle Valley stands for:

preserving the current field and green space. Although Kettle Valley has a few parks, this specific open field and surrounding slopes and green space provide a unique environment as it:

-       allows for a multitude of field activities and sports to happen (eg. City of Kelowna and various clubs/leagues use the field for competitive and non competitive field sports)

-       is a space for sports clinics as part of summer holiday camps which are offered to numerous children of varying ages

-       encourages all ages of the surrounding neighbourhood to come out during all seasons to enjoy various recreational activities, such as walking their dogs (not just on pavements); flying model aeroplanes which is not possible anywhere else due to density of urban neighbourhoods; just simply exercising on the field

-       is the last level piece of land of its kind in the Upper Mission as most of the parks in KV are not used for playing on

-       entices all ages to use the slopes for thrilling winter toboggan runs

-       lets people just sit on the field and absorb the tranquility it radiates due to its endless views

-       has become a meeting point due to its criss-crossing of paths leading people from all surrounding residential areas to this space (only flat area in the KV and surrounding neighbourhoods)

-       kids enjoy exploring, playing and building things in the adjacent informal non-perennial stream which also attracts seasonal wildlife

-       which neighborhood can boast to still have regular visits of owls due to the proximity of a large green space with natural grassland slopes that are home to small animals?

It is a space that we literally and figuratively go to: to breathe! In today’s environment the human being is more and more removed from nature, which is the one vital component that actually allows us to live on earth! We need this space to re-energize … each in our own way.

This aligns with the recently run Unplug & Play Week that encouraged:

 “Families to balance technology use with time with family, creative pursuits, recreation and nature”

Final Message:

Dear Developer, for the above reasons is why people buy into the community/village of Kettle Valley. Don’t squeeze the last bit of life out of this neighbourhood, just to fill every available piece of open land and your wallets respectively. Leave the great community you have started at what it is. Once this area is destroyed, it is destroyed for future generations as well.