Developers Clash with Peachland Over Costly Road Requirement
A Peachland developer couple says the town’s demand to build and donate a costly road could cost them $1.375 million and derail their 31-unit project.
Peachland Development
✍️ By Debbie Balfour | WBN News | October 22, 2025 | Click HERE for your FREE Subscription to WBN News and/or to be a Contributor.
In the heart of Peachland, a simmering dispute between a local developer couple and the municipality has sparked a debate over fairness, infrastructure, and the true cost of growth. What began as a promising 31-unit housing project on Renfrew Road has turned into a high-stakes standoff over who should pay for a connecting road—an expense developers say could sink their investment.
$1.375 Million Dispute Over Road Construction
According to the couple, the District of Peachland’s demand that they construct and donate an access road linking the two halves of Stuart Crescent would saddle them with a $1.375 million loss. The couple appealed to the Peachland council this week, arguing the requirement far exceeds a reasonable development contribution and threatens the viability of their project.
The developers contend that while they support improving traffic flow and safety in the neighborhood, the road in question primarily benefits the broader community, not just their site. “We’re not opposed to the idea of better access,” one developer explained during the council meeting, “but this condition shifts a municipal responsibility onto a private project.”
Municipality Defends Its Position
Municipal staff, however, have stood firm. They insist the road connection is vital for emergency access, improved circulation, and long-term community planning. Preliminary approvals were granted under the clear understanding that road dedication would form part of the development’s infrastructure obligations.
Frustrated by what they see as a lack of flexibility, the developers proposed alternative solutions, including cost-sharing or land swaps, but claim those offers were rejected. The disagreement has now reached a pivotal moment, with both sides under scrutiny from residents and local business leaders eager for more housing options in Peachland’s tight market.
A Wider Issue Across British Columbia
This dispute highlights a larger issue across British Columbia’s development sector: as municipalities strive to balance growth with infrastructure demands, developers are increasingly pushing back against escalating off-site costs. While communities want livable, connected neighborhoods, developers warn that unchecked municipal requirements could stall much-needed housing supply and drive prices higher.
What’s Next for the Peachland Project
For now, the Peachland project remains in limbo, with the council reviewing the developers’ appeal and considering whether a compromise is possible. What’s clear is that this battle is about more than one road; it’s about how small communities manage progress without paving over fairness.
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TAGS: #Peachland Development #Real Estate Development #BC Housing #Municipal Planning #Infrastructure #WBN News Okanagan #Debbie Balfour
Sources:
- Castanet News, “Developers at odds with Peachland over demand to build road,” Oct 22, 2025
- District of Peachland Council Agenda, Oct 2025
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