Last-minute changes to the plan for a storm water pond on the SmartCentres development site include relocating the pond entirely.

In a submission to the city dated Oct. 8, developer Glen Bury wrote that a storm water pond is still proposed to collect runoff from the development, but would discharge into existing drainage east of the former Petty’s Meats property. He wrote the pond would be placed at the eastern edge of the site, where it would drain into Hobbs Creek. The original plan called for a storm water pond on the northwest corner of the site, which would have discharged periodically into the Salmon River.

“We commit to designing and vegetating a pond and new channel for Hobbs Creek such that it would be a significant improvement over existing conditions and be similar in concept and design details to the previously proposed pond that was intended to discharge into the Salmon River," Bury wrote.

Brock Nanson, project manager of Kamloops-based engineering company CTQ Consultants Ltd., wrote that Hobbs Creek currently spills into the floodplain on the property to the east of the SmartCentres site, and the existing wetland serves as a sediment filter.

“The new proposed drainage/habitat pond further improves storm water quality by providing another layer of sediment and biofiltration prior to the water being discharged to the existing floodplain/wetland.”

Nanson wrote that draining the pond via the Hobbs Creek channel would put a 1.5 km distance between the east property line of the development, and the point of discharge into Shuswap Lake.

Consultant and biologist Darryl Arsenault, of EBA Engineering Consultants Ltd. of Kelowna, wrote that prior to entering the pond, drainage from the development would pass through systems to separate oil, sediment and water. He added that planned native plants including a variety of trees in the high areas and sedges and cattails in the low areas would reduce pollutants by providing naturally occurring bacteria.

“The landscaping within the pond will create this diversity of habitat that will improve water quality in Hobbs Creek, over its existing condition, prior to its eventual discharge through the large floodplain/wetland leading into Shuswap Lake.”

Arsenault wrote the proposed pond is expected to provide an improvement of the habitat and water quality over existing conditions, and the previous storm pond concept.

Coun. Ivan Idzan noted at council's Oct. 14 meeting that the new location for the storm water pond would drain into existing wetlands, and the pond and accompanying habitat area are being offered to the city as parkland.

“There’s some dramatic differences here.”

He said public sentiment prefers that the city own the park-dedicated land in order to ensure its use.

City director of development services Corey Paiement noted the developer is proposing private land, with its use protected by a restrictive covenant.

Paiement said city staff are recommending council defeat the development permit containing the original site plan at the upcoming public hearing Oct. 20. The development permit determines form and character of a development.

He said a benefit of the new plan is it retains the base flow of Hobbs Creek on the east side of the property. He noted the new site plan does not provide enough details to make up a development permit application, and the only details it outlines are the relocation of the pond, and an increase in parkland being given to the city from eight to 14 acres.

“Certainly staff think it’s a better proposal.”

He said if the OCP and zoning amendments proposed for the property are passed following the public hearing on Oct. 20, the developers would still be required to come back to the city with a new development permit before they could begin construction.