– Council to consider proposed seniors care facility on Nov. 6 –

(OSOYOOS TIMES — Nov. 1, 2006) –

By Lawrence McMahenrnOsoyoos Times

Despite urging from Osoyoos Mayor John Slater that the planned Mariposa seniors care facility should be moved from its proposed site at the junction of Highways 3 and 97 because of serious problems, the developer says all the concerns have been worked out quite easily with Town and provincial authorities.
A month ago, Slater wrote to Interior Health and the B.C. government saying problems over water supply, firefighting, traffic control, pedestrian safety, and residents' health were so serious the project should be relocated to some other site in Osoyoos.
But Will McKay, managing director of Baltic Properties, the Mariposa's developer, told the Times on Monday that talks with officials from the Town, the Agricultural Land Commission and the Ministry of Highways have resulted in agreements that take care of Slater's concerns.
In fact, McKay says, ironing out issues like these is standard operating procedure in major development proposals like the Mariposa.
McKay expects the Mariposa Manor and Mariposa Lodge proposal for a residential and assisted-care facility on former orchard land between the Ridge Brew Pub and Kobau Lanes bowling alley will be up for first reading at Town Council's next meeting, November 6.
Mayor Slater has said that despite his concerns, he thinks Council will pass first reading, so the proposal can go to a public hearing.
McKay said he hopes the public hearing can be held November 20, so Council could pass the development and construction could begin by March, with completion scheduled for March of 2008.
Interior Health has awarded Baltic Properties a contract to provide seniors care services in Osoyoos.
The planned facility will include 108 residential care beds and 32 assisted-living units, along with an adult daycare and a meals program.
To Slater's concern that the Mariposa site is currently on the irrigation system, not on Town well-water, with possible problems for drinking water and firefighting, McKay says Town officials assure him there will be no difficulty for Baltic to construct a line across Highway 97 to tap into the Town's water system at Eagle Court.
And we've dealt with the Agricultural Land Commission on the concern over orchard spraying and noise, McKay says. They have agreed to a covenant being placed on the Mariposa property to ensure construction of a landscape buffer of vegetation and a six-foot-high wooden fence between the property and neighbouring orchards. McKay says that's the normal solution followed by the ALC, and Baltic has done that on other of its properties next to working orchards.
He says the Ministry of Highways has agreed to temporary access to the new facility from Highway 97, with Baltic adding a sidewalk along the front to the existing pedestrian walkway at the corner of Highway 3. And Baltic may also be required to lengthen the centre meridian on Highway 97.
We're also dedicating land at the rear of our property for a future road in from Meadowlark Drive, McKay says. When that road is built, the driving access onto Highway 97 at the front will be closed off.
McKay adds his people have also met with Urban Systems, the company doing planning work for the Town of Osoyoos, to ensure that Baltic's plans fit with the future plans of the Town.
We're getting good co-operation from everybody, he says.
McKay also says he feels the Mariposa development will be a real benefit to Osoyoos, since it will create at least 60 jobs more than are currently provided at the existing Sagebrush Lodge, which the bigger Mariposa will replace.
He added that Baltic will look favourably on hiring current Sagebrush staff, since it wants qualified and experienced employees, and they are hard to find.