Controversy continues to plague council

The issue of a retaining wall bordering Jasmine Drive in Osoyoos remains at the centre of controversy.
Area residents have sent another letter to the Town of Osoyoos asking for a satisfactory resolution.
Residents claim that the wall is an eyesore, with its collection of old bikes hanging down the face, and argue the fact that it encroaches several feet onto Town property. They want to see the town instruct the property owner to have a professional engineer set his wall back to the property line and certify its safety.
Residents also insist that a Geotech survey be redone, considering the sandy nature of the land and the fact that a swimming pool sits behind the wall.
During construction of the wall last spring, residents pointed out, there was a landfall, during which the owner himself was buried to his waist, and they fear the land was not properly compacted thereafter.
A resolution was passed at the March 7 council meeting in Osoyoos that:rn…a meeting be arranged with the property owner to negotiate an encroachment agreement, and also meet with the surrounding neighbours within a 100 foot radius.rnIt seems that this is a deal made without input from surrounding neighbours, and the town is willing to 'sell off' public property without consultation with any of us, stated a recent letter signed by several residents.
The letter went on to say that residents will be seeking legal counsel on the issue unless they receive a satisfactory explanation as to why the bylaws of Osoyoos are not respected by council.rnMayor John Slater said council had a long meeting Friday to discuss the wall issue.
Our decision will be released later in the week, after all the affected property owners have been contacted, Slater said. This issue has been very frustrating for the neighbourhood and council and it needs to be resolved.