It was close, but Coldstream is moving towards buying land.
In a 3-2 vote Monday, council gave three readings to a short-term borrowing bylaw to acquire two acres on Kalamalka Road, between Dutch’s Campground and the Vernon boundary.
“People need to think of the vision of the property and it’s to support the rail trail,” said Mayor Jim Garlick.
Garlick and Councillors Pat Cochrane and Richard Enns voted for the bylaw, but opposition came from Councillors Glen Taylor and Gyula Kiss.
Taylor took issue with the $550,000 cost.
“We had talked about this before at a different price. We agreed to stay within our allotment,” he said.
“A new price has come up and I’d like to see all of council here.”
Councillors Doug Dirk and Peter McClean were absent Monday.
For Kiss, he had several concerns about taking over the site.
“What will we do with it and what will the cost be of developing it?” he said.
It’s been suggested the property could eventually support the nearby Okanagan Rail Trail as a parking and staging area, with possible commercial uses and green space.
“It’s just securing it at this time,” said Garlick, adding that discussions could be held with the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee.
“It could be paid for by more than Coldstream.”
As for Taylor’s questions about the price, Garlick says there were offers and counter-offers between the district and the owner.
“Unfortunately, Coun. Taylor missed a meeting,” said Garlick.
“The price we’re paying is reasonable and well below the assessed level.”
Besides short-term borrowing, the purchase is being funded through existing reserves.
Final adoption of the borrowing bylaw will go before council in mid-December.