Mayor Scott Manjak says the community has made its decision with 2,616 people voting No to bringing 9,500 acres into the City boundary, compared to 2,581 people voting Yes to the expansion.

“I appreciate everyone coming out to vote that all took the time to vote,” he said. “The community has made their decision and we'll honour and respect that.”

With just 35 ballots separating No and Yes votes, Manjak said he did expect the vote to be as close as it was and was not surprised by the small gap between the votes.

Manjak said he is glad more people voted in the referendum than the municipal election held one year ago (35 per cent voter turnout for the referendum and 30.5 per cent for the election) but he would have liked to see more.

“Approximately 9,000 people who are eligible voters in this town chose not to go out and vote. Am I satisfied with the percentage of the voter turnout, no I'm not,” he said. “I think an important issue like this, or any issue be it a municipal election or anything, I would like to see more people get involved, get engaged but that's an individual thing.”

Sheldon Isaman, who is President of Summit West Investments, which owns the second largest piece of property (2,400 acres) that would have come into the city as part of the East Hill expansion, said it was unfortunate the results were so close.

“A clearer indication from the citizens would have made me happier, but as the results currently stand the citizens of Cranbrook decided that they did not want jurisdiction over our property and now we will move forward and will be happy to work with the RDEK (Regional District of East Kootenay),” he said. “I would like to thank the Mayor and Council for their vision, support and for proceeding with the referendum. I would also like to thank all the supporters and volunteers that took part in the Yes to Opportunity campaign.”

Manjak said the City will now notify the provincial government of the outcome of the referendum.

“We will not be proceeding with the inclusion of the East Hill lands as part of our community. It's over,” he said.

Manjak, along with five of six City Councillors, was in favour of the City expanding to take in the East Hill lands but says he is not disappointed by the decision of the voters.

“I'm disappointed in the sense that our community will not have control over those lands,” he said. “The process worked, we followed the rules according to the legislation and I respect the decision of the community. I'm not disappointed in the decision of the people, because when we go to vote I respect what the decision is and I just appreciate that people take the time to go out and vote.

“The decision is one we respect and it's now clear where the community lies and we'll move on and continue doing the business of the community.”

Brian Sims, co-chair of the Yes to Opportunity committee, said Cranbrook has missed out, voting not to include the East Hill lands in the city.

“I don't really feel there were any winners Saturday night. People said no to this opportunity, no to growth and no to business,” he said. “Today's another day and we move forward.”

Isaman said they will proceed with their subdivision application with the Ministry of Transportation and will also be applying for zoning changes. He said attention given to the referendum in Vancouver has garnered a number of potential purchasers of the 148 acre parcels.

He also said access to his and Tony Novak's private lands will change.

“As confirmed with Mr. Tony Novak, any and all access into our private lands will no longer be permitted,” Isaman said. “This may also include the decommissioning of some or all of the trails that are used as part of the Community Forest. Mr. Roy Catherall and the Community Forest Society will be receiving a letter from our lawyers stating the same.”