Subdivision developer responds to Penticton Indian Band

The developer planning a 320-unit subdivision at 1050 Spiller Road has responded to comments made about the proposal by the Penticton Indian Band yesterday.

The band issued a statement expressing its opposition to the project being proposed by Canadian Horizons, Oct. 19.

“We affirm our position of rejection," then-Chief Chad Eneas said. "The Penticton Indian Band does not approve, consent or in any other manner agree to the proposed development.”

The band has long opposed the development.

"The snPink’tn people have and continue to utilize this area for food, social and ceremonial practices," Eneas said in the release. “Current (food, social and ceremonial) practices cannot coexist with the proposed residential development."

Canadian Horizons spokesperson Nathan Hildebrand said in an email statement the company has undertaken all necessary archeological impact assessment reports for the property as part of the company’s proposal to the City of Penticton.

Hildebrand says the study was undertaken by a professional archeologist with assistance from members of the Penticton Indian Band and the study concluded no further investigation was required.

“We will be following all provincial regulations required by us if the proposal proceeds to construction,” Hildebrand said.

He says the band did speak to Canadian Horizons previously about some concerns they had with the proposal, similar to the statements made in yesterday’s press release from the band.

“We have reached out to the band on several occasions over the past couple of years in an attempt to meet and better understand their concerns. Unfortunately, we have yet to hear back from the band. We will continue to reach out to the Penticton Indian Band and hope we are able to meet,” Hildebrand says, adding his congratulations to newly elected band chief Greg Gabriel.

The proposal has also raised the ire of local agriculturalists in the area, who drove their tractors to Penticton City Hall in mid-September in a rally against the project.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to tips@infonews.ca and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.