Vernon’s civic election will help determine how the city grows, how quickly new homes are approved, and how much development costs. For current homeowners and people considering buying or selling, these decisions can affect housing supply, property values, development opportunities, and property taxes.

Lisa Salt, formerly a licensed REALTOR® with RE/MAX Vernon Salt Fowler and now unlicensed, reviewed candidate websites and campaign posts to summarize their positions on housing. This overview is intended as general information, not real estate advice or an endorsement of any candidate.

Where the Candidates Agree and Differ

One common theme across many campaigns is directing more growth inward rather than expanding the city outward. This means adding homes within established urban areas through infill, secondary suites, duplexes, townhomes, and apartments instead of relying primarily on new subdivisions at the edges of Vernon.

The candidates differ on three important questions: how quickly the city should approve housing, who should pay for the infrastructure required to support growth, and whether new development should be limited by confirmed water capacity. These decisions can influence how many homes are built and what they cost.

The 580 Commonage Decision

A significant example of the differing views on growth was the proposal for 580 Commonage, a planned community of approximately 4,000 homes off Commonage Road toward Predator Ridge. On June 1, council voted 4 to 3 not to advance the application to a public hearing, ending the application at that stage.

Mayor Victor Cummings and Councillors Teresa Durning, Kelly Fehr, and Kari Statham voted against advancing the proposal, while Kari Gares, Akbal Mund, and Brian Quiring voted to send it to a public hearing. The discussion illustrates differing views on where major developments should be located and how the city should evaluate future growth.

The Mayoral Candidates

Victor Cummings

The incumbent mayor, who has held the position since 2018, supports keeping growth within Vernon’s urban containment boundary. He has argued that urban sprawl could have resulted in a tax increase of at least 7% and favours gentle infill, including additional homes on existing lots, suites, triplexes, and apartments in the urban core and village centres. He cast the deciding vote against advancing the 580 Commonage proposal, citing the location as the issue.

If re-elected, his approach suggests continued emphasis on adding housing within established neighbourhoods rather than developing large new subdivisions on the outskirts of town.

Kari Gares

After eight years on city council, Gares argues that rejecting growth also comes at a cost. She believes development should be evaluated case by case, including whether it benefits Vernon’s tax base. She supports tying new development to proven water capacity, has raised concerns that net-zero-ready construction requirements could increase new home costs by 8% to 15%, and has called for clearer, faster municipal approvals.

Gares voted to advance 580 Commonage to a public hearing. Her stated positions suggest openness to considering larger projects while focusing on water capacity, development costs, and the city's long-term interests.

Wayne Lippert

Lippert, who served as mayor from 2005 to 2011, emphasizes public safety and respect for taxpayers. He supports continued infill and higher density in existing urban areas, with new development paying its fair share of infrastructure costs. He has also called for a municipal approval process that helps people build homes and open businesses, as well as attainable housing that allows younger residents to remain in Vernon.

His campaign suggests a focus on infill, reducing unnecessary red tape, controlling property taxes, and improving downtown safety, an issue Lisa notes can affect property values throughout Vernon.

Four Housing Issues to Watch

1. Where New Homes Will Be Built

Many candidates support adding housing within the existing urban area. Barry Dorval has identified himself with Stop Sprawl Vernon, while Dawn Tucker has pointed to the amount of infrastructure pipe Vernon maintains per resident compared with Kelowna. Kari Statham supports infill and townhomes while emphasizing that families still need single-family homes with yards.

For real estate, this direction could mean more duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, and suites in established neighbourhoods such as East Hill, Mission Hill, and Alexis Park. Owners of larger lots in central areas may also want to understand the potential development opportunities associated with their properties before making decisions about selling or renovating.

2. Approval Speed and Construction Costs

Candidate views differ on how to make development more efficient while ensuring growth pays for the infrastructure it requires. David Scarlatescu has said builders report long approval timelines and changing requirements. Gares has raised concerns about the potential additional cost of net-zero-ready construction requirements, while Fehr has supported waived development fees and faster approvals for nonprofit housing, pre-approved infill plans, and incentives for duplexes and townhomes. Diana Wilson supports continued improvements to permitting.

Wayne Lippert and Dawn Tucker emphasize that new development should pay its fair share of infrastructure costs through development fees. Faster, less expensive approvals could help increase housing supply and reduce upward pressure on new-build prices. However, higher development fees may be reflected in the final cost of a new home or affect whether a project proceeds.

3. Water Capacity and Future Growth

Following Vernon’s Stage 3 water restrictions during the summer, water security became a recurring topic in candidate discussions. Gares, Wilson, Dorval, and Scarlatescu have supported tying new development to proven water capacity, while Robert Cook has identified water security as a priority. A Greater Vernon water capacity study is also underway.

If confirmed water capacity becomes a condition for new approvals, housing supply could grow more slowly in some areas. Lisa notes that restrictions on new supply may support the value of existing homes in serviced areas, making the outcome an important issue to watch.

4. Rental Housing and Affordability

Several candidates have discussed expanding affordable housing and increasing the range of available housing types. Fehr supports short-term rental rules intended to protect long-term rental properties, along with incentives for duplexes and townhomes. Dorval and Wilson have advocated for government funding for Okanagan Village Housing Society’s proposed 101-unit project in Okanagan Landing.

Amy Klassen supports a mix of housing for different income levels and wants major projects evaluated according to their long-term infrastructure costs. Sarah Moorhouse has highlighted the difficulty local employees face finding housing and supports fire department staffing that keeps pace with denser development.

Additional rental and below-market housing could help renters and first-time buyers by easing some pressure on the entry-level housing market.

A Quick Look at the Council Candidates

The video also summarizes the housing-related priorities raised by the 15 candidates running for six council seats:

• Wayne Carson: A former Northwestside Fire Chief whose priorities include wildfire protection, FireSmart, water security, and value for taxpayers.
• Robert Cook: Supports mixed-use buildings with shops below and affordable housing above as a way to add homes without urban sprawl.
• Barry Dorval: A retired teacher who supports inward growth, matching development to water capacity, and seeking funding for Okanagan Village Housing Society’s proposed 101 affordable units.
• Teresa Durning: An incumbent who supports affordable housing for families and seniors and voted against advancing 580 Commonage.
• Kelly Fehr: An incumbent who supports fee relief and faster approvals for nonprofit housing, pre-approved infill plans, and incentives for duplexes and townhomes. He also voted against advancing 580 Commonage.
• Dustin Griffin: A local lawyer whose campaign focuses on livability, affordability, and getting the city’s basic services right.
• Dauna Kennedy: A former chamber president who emphasizes fiscal discipline, long-term infrastructure planning, and keeping Vernon affordable.
• Amy Klassen: Supports the new Official Community Plan, a range of housing for different incomes, and evaluating major projects based on their lifetime infrastructure costs.
• Sarah Moorhouse: A local business owner who wants more housing for local workers and fire department staffing that keeps pace with denser housing.
• Akbal Mund: An incumbent and former mayor who wants council to focus on core services. He voted to send 580 Commonage to a public hearing.
• Rob Sawatzky: A former mayor who emphasizes fiscal discipline. During his time as mayor, he introduced the infrastructure levy that continues to fund roads and pipes.
• David Scarlatescu: A downtown restaurant owner who supports infill over sprawl and faster, more predictable approvals for projects that can be supported by existing infrastructure.
• Kari Statham: A small business manager who supports infill and townhomes while maintaining opportunities for single-family homes with yards.
• Dawn Tucker: A longtime council watchdog who supports more middle-ground infill in central areas and development that pays its own way through fees.
• Diana Wilson: A former chamber president who supports gentle density under the new Official Community Plan, improved permitting, and more below-market housing.

Links to the candidates’ platforms are available in the original video description for anyone who wants to review their positions directly.

What Could the Election Mean for Vernon Buyers and Sellers?

For people planning to buy over the next four years, much of Vernon’s new housing supply may come from infill, including townhomes, duplexes, suites, and apartments in established neighbourhoods. How quickly the incoming council handles approvals and construction requirements will help determine how much new housing actually gets built.

For homeowners with properties in areas suitable for infill, larger lots in central neighbourhoods may have development potential worth investigating before listing or renovating. If water capacity limits future approvals, existing homes in serviced areas could also be affected by changes in supply.

Property taxes and how the costs of growth are shared are important for all homeowners. Decisions about infrastructure, development fees, and municipal spending can affect the cost of owning property as well as the cost of building new homes.

Lisa emphasizes that the video is not an endorsement of any candidate. The goal is to help residents understand the housing issues being discussed and make informed decisions. She also encourages people to vote, noting that turnout in Vernon was below 25% in the previous civic election.

Stay Informed About Vernon Real Estate

RE/MAX Vernon Salt Fowler will continue following the new council’s decisions and explaining what they could mean for housing and the local real estate market. If you are planning a move in nine days or 90 days, or simply want to learn more about the community, contact one of our licensed agents by phone, text, or email.

For more information about living in Vernon and the North Okanagan, visit vernonrelocation.com. Just Add Salt.