Campers may soon find a way to go “glamping” in Tlell that goes well beyond hot rocks in a sleeping bag.
Co-owner Alana Husby, who grew up on Haida Gwaii, is planning a seasonal, oceanside “glamorous camping” resort in Tlell that features 10 large canvas tents on raised wooden platforms plus an 800 square-foot dome that has a shared kitchen and social area.
The tents would go up from mid-April to mid-October on a six-acre, treed lot at 40175 Highway 16. The property is just off the ocean side of the highway, near the bend north of Richardson Ranch.
Husby recently introduced the idea to North Coast Regional District directors together with Brad Elenko, a registered professional planner with McElhanney. Getting the idea off the ground will require a regional district zoning change, from agriculture to tourism, plus a change to Tlell’s Official Community Plan, from rural to commercial.
“Changing the zoning is actually going to help protect the area,” Elenko told regional district directors on Friday, Sept. 21.
Elenko said Husby is planning to make the resort eco-friendly — it will retain trees, use raised platforms and boardwalks, and protect a prominent sand dune on the northeast side of the property.
“She’s committed to protecting that, fencing it off,” he said.
Elenko added that Husby has been speaking with other islands businesses about offering local food, goods, and services at the resort.
Directors for the North Coast Regional District accepted Husby’s application for a zoning change, which will also be referred to the Solutions Table, four provincial agencies, the Graham Island Planning Commission, the Misty Isle Economic Development Society, and Northern Health.
“I think it’s a great idea,” said Urs Thomas, director for Port Clements, who said he often walks his dog in the area. “It’s perfect for tourism.”
If the zoning changes are approved, Elenko said plan is to open next spring.
