The area director for Tobiano is pleased with the rate of residential growth happening there.

Ronaye Elliott points out the construction value in Area J last year was higher than anywhere else in the Thompson Nicola Regional District.

“We have a few new homes in Savona, and we have a few new homes in Cherry Creek, but the majority of that is Tobiano,” she says.

Elliott believes there are several reasons why the demand there is high.

“There’s a lot of folks that don’t want to live in a city anymore, but still want to live beside a city. So for Area J it’s great.”

In the past two years, the TNRD has issued nearly $26 million worth of building permits in Area J alone, including more than $13.7 million in 2018.

However, if the growth rate continues, Elliot noted the TNRD may need to look into its land planning processes.

“A lot of the newcomers are buying 20 acre lots, but then they don’t know what to do with it. Consequently, they live on an acre and a half, and the rest of it gets left in sagebrush,” she says.

“In my view, that’s not a good use of the land. It’s the most gorgeous part of the regional district in my estimate. We certainly have lots of land available, and I don’t see any reason why people shouldn’t live here.”