The controversial Spring Bank development received final adoption at the May 11 regular council meeting, following two public hearings during which Merrittonians voiced their opposition to the project.

The development will see the construction of a 40-unit building that will provide affordable housing to indigenous individuals, families and elders.

The project is a joint effort between BC Housing, the Nicola Native Lodge Society, and Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AMHA), and will see 15 studio units, six two-bedroom units, six three-bedroom units and 17 elder-specific one-bedroom units added to the community. Two units will be designed to be wheelchair accessible.

During the Mar. 23 council meeting, the development at 2640 Spring Bank was given vocal support by the chiefs of the five First Nations bands in the Nicola Valley.

“It is with great excitement that we have finally come to this point,” said LNIB Chief, Stu Jackson.

“It’s been a very, very long arduous process, that has had many challenges, hurdles, and obstacles that we have had to overcome over the years. As a representative of my community, it’s so exciting that now I can go back to my people and tell them, ‘here’s an opportunity for us to house our elders and perhaps our families’…tell them, ‘we have more housing opportunities for you, and for our future.”

One of the many concerns outlined by Merritt residents at the Public Hearings, was the quality and composition of the soil for building a structure of the size required for the housing development.

“The ground in question is mostly clay composition… There already have been problems with land slippage towards the river on at least one Spring Bank property,” said Spring Bank area resident, Lori Robinson.

However, while the OCP does not legally require a geotechnical report to proceed with development in the area, it is a prerequisite of BC Housing support that a geotechnical assessment be completed, and this will take place before any ground-breaking is done on the site.

The Final Adoption of the OCP Amendment and the Zoning Bylaw Amendment were carried five to two, with councillors Etchart and Bhangu opposed.