Leadership at the Peachland Baptist Church say the district香蕉视频直播檚 approach to pursuing acquisition of its Lake Avenue property for a new protective services building is aggressive and at times, combative.
香蕉视频直播淚 understand that they would like to create new offices for town bureaucrats, and our spot probably looks like a great place to build them, but it doesn香蕉视频直播檛 seem right that a charitable organization which has served the community for 120 years should subsidize this plan on land we own and don香蕉视频直播檛 wish to leave香蕉视频直播� Pastor Lyle Wahl said in a statement.
He said church leadership has made it clear that they don香蕉视频直播檛 want to leave the site, but they are willing to work with the district.
香蕉视频直播淥ur church attendance has doubled since COVID, and we use the building throughout the week. We just don香蕉视频直播檛 understand why they can香蕉视频直播檛 build their plans to the west where they香蕉视频直播檝e already acquired land adjacent to the lot set aside for the firehall, instead of displacing us.香蕉视频直播�
Wahl added that the town has suggested the church consider selling its property at below market value or relocating to a less valuable corridor next to the highway. The statement added that the issue of "legal powers to force an expropriation of church property has also been raised."
The statement noted that the district has been actively pursuing the church property since 2021.
香蕉视频直播淚n November 2023, council made a surprise unsolicited offer, less than one香蕉视频直播憈hird of the estimated replacement cost, to buy the land and building. Without sharing formal plans or detailed valuations, the town香蕉视频直播檚 approach has left the church alarmed. Independent appraisers estimate a like香蕉视频直播慺or香蕉视频直播憀ike replacement cost of nearly $4 million.香蕉视频直播�
On July 24, the district released a statement saying it was in communication with the church to discuss purchasing its property and relocating the building to a nearby site within the same neighbourhood.
Staff have explored several potential solutions, including a public-private partnership (P3) which could build a facility that would house residential, commercial, retail, and office space, as well as municipal offices, RCMP and BC Ambulance services, and community policing.
The church said it became aware of the broader redevelopment plans through a confidential Request for Expressions of Interest posted online, rather than through direct communication.
It also said the plans were not shared in any public consultation with the church, but that it has offered to 香蕉视频直播渃ollaborate on a mutually beneficial solution, but its overtures have gone unanswered.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淭his lack of transparency has been especially significant because the referendum approved by voters in 2022 only authorized borrowing up to $17.5 million for a new protective services building, primarily a fire hall, not for expropriation of church land or broader redevelopment,香蕉视频直播� the church release said.
Church leadership added that the congregation feels unfairly pressured to relinquish land they have owned for over 120 years and which continues serving the community.
Peachland Mayor Patrick Van Minsel has issued a statement in response.
香蕉视频直播淭he District of Peachland has invested a great deal of time and attention to the new firehall project. The request to the Baptist Church is not being made frivolously and our need has not changed now that the church has publicly announced its opposition."
The mayor added that the district has been as transparent as possible when dealing with land negotiations and discussions.
"Council香蕉视频直播檚 pillar is open government, and we are committed to keeping the public informed," he said. "We know there are good people on both sides of this issue working to find a resolution. We will continue to work with the representative of the Peachland Baptist Church to find a resolution and we are pleased to hear they continue to be willing to come to the table."
The District of Peachland is looking forward to positive and collaborative discussions with the best interests of the whole community in mind, the statement concluded.
