PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
​OPEN HOUSE INFORMATION SESSION
May 14, 2025 - An Open House was held at the Vernon Recreation Centre Auditorium, where Information Panels and members of the development team were available to the public. Feedback from the public via an Online Survey will contribute to updates to the OCP application, and a summary will be provided to the City’s Advisory Committees and Council to further their understanding of public opinion as part of their decision-making process.
You can download the Open House Information Panels here.​​
580 Commonage - Open House
May 14th, 2025 - Vernon, BC
Kerkhoff took the first step in the public engagement process for the 580 Commonage Official Community Plan application, hosting an Open House May 14 at the Vernon Recreation Centre. Over 400 people attended the event where details on the proposed development were available from both Information Panels and members of the development. Feedback from the public was split with about 1/3 opposed to the OCP change application, 1/3 neural, and 1/3 for the development. An Online Survey is live until May 28 to allow formal input that will be provided to the City of Vernon.
In the News
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Vernon's housing targets imminent according to letter from housing minister - (Castanet-June 6, 2025)
https://www.castanet.net/news/Vernon/554782/Vernon-s-housing-targets-imminent-according-to-letter-from-housing-minister -
Ambitious, 4,000 home Vernon development up for public discussion - (Vernon Morning Star - May 15, 2025)
https://www.vernonmorningstar.com/local-news/ambitious-4000-home-commonage-development-up-for-public-discussion-8010924 -
Developer of proposed project near Vernon says he too wants to protect the area - Vernon News - (Castanet.net - May 14, 2025)
https://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-550481-2-.htm#550481 -
Interview with Leonard Kerkhoff about open house in Vernon for proposed Commonage Road development (Daybreak South, CBC Radio One Kelowna - May 13, 2025)​
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-110-daybreak-south/clip/16146047-big-plans-small-homes -
Commonage development seeks Vernon's input (Vernon Morning Star - May 12, 2025)
https://www.vernonmorningstar.com/local-news/commonage-development-seeks-vernons-input-8002472 -
Keeping Commonage 'natural' an essential part of proposed new small homes community (Vernon Morning Star - May 10, 2025)
https://www.vernonmorningstar.com/marketplace/keeping-commonage-natural-an-essential-part-of-proposed-new-small-homes-community-8000858 -
580 Commonage homes in Vernon are ones people can afford (Castanet - May 10, 2025)
https://www.castanet.net/news/Think-Local/549618/580-Commonage-homes-in-Vernon-are-ones-people-can-afford#549618 -
Vernon’s housing crisis and a proposed 'Commonage' solution (Vernon Morning Star - May 5, 2025)
https://www.vernonmorningstar.com/marketplace/vernons-housing-crisis-and-a-proposed-commonage-solution-7986745 -
May 14 Open House announced for 580 Commonage (Vernon Matters - May 5, 2025)
https://vernonmatters.ca/2025/05/05/open-house-planned-for-commonage-development-proposal/ -
VIDEO (9:00 mark) Leonard Kerkhoff on how proposed housing for 580 Commonage can co-exist with conservation measures (Global Okanagan - March 14, 2025)
https://globalnews.ca/video/11165101/global-okanagan-news-at-530-p-m-march-14/ -
New housing concept to build 4,000 homes gets first approval from Vernon city council (Castanet - Feb 11, 2025) https://www.castanet.net/news/Vernon/532941/New-housing-concept-to-build-4-000-homes-gets-first-approval-from-Vernon-city-council
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Vernon's 4,000-home Commonage plan passes first step (Vernon Morning Star - Feb 11, 2025)
https://www.vernonmorningstar.com/local-news/4000-home-commonage-plan-before-vernon-7809583 -
Large housing project at council (Okanagan Edge - Feb 10, 2025)
https://okanaganedge.net/2025/02/10/large-housing-project-at-council/ -
Developer pitches 4,000 'attainable' homes for Vernon (iNFOnews.ca - Feb 8, 2025)
https://infotel.ca/inhome/developer-pitches-4000-attainable-homes-for-vernon/it108090 -
Proposed project would see thousands of new homes, including attainable ones, built in Vernon (Vernon Matters - Feb 7, 2025)
https://vernonmatters.ca/2025/02/07/proposed-project-would-see-thousand-of-new-homes-including-attainable-ones-built-in-vernon/
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Project Timeline and Future Plans
Below is a an overview of the planning process and where we are in the process.
February 29, 2024
Neighbourhood Plan and OCP Amendment application were submitted to the City of Vernon.
February 10, 2025
Vernon City Council voted unanimously to support, in principle, the 580 Commonage application.
May 14, 2025
An Open House was held at the Vernon Recreation Centre Auditorium, where Information Panels and members of the development team were available to the public.
June & Next Steps
City of Vernon's Advisory Committees review of Comprehensive Engagement Report and revised OCP Application
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Regional District of North Okanagan and Greater Vernon Water review the Application
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Vernon City Council considers 1st and 2nd reading of the OCP Amendment
Dates to be Announced
Note: All dates are estimated and are subject to change.
