The city will not be supporting the development of a campground on a property on Airport Way.
The property owner, Hyeum Properties, made an application to the Columbia Shuswap Regional District for permission to use the property in a way that is not allowed in the current Agricultural Land Reserve Zoning.
However, after the city’s announcement of non-support, Keith Stevenson, project manager for Hyeum Properties said that they will be withdrawing their application of non-farm use.
“Our vision was created directly from the results and findings of previous Williamson Lake Concept Plans completed in 2011 and revised in 2015, APC recommendations and concerns and public consultation,” Stevenson said in an email.
“It is our opinion that total transparency and public consultation should take place with such a valued amenity with all stakeholders’ positions voiced, heard and taken into account,” he continued. “This however has not been the case and as such, Hyeum Properties has decided to withdraw it’s ‘Non-Farm Use’ application for the aforementioned properties and is looking forward to witnessing the City’s improvements to Williamson Lake Park and Campground.”
The property owner was planning to develop 2580 and 2826 Airport Way into a 35 site campground, a greenhouse, a restaurant and cafe, playing fields, an 18 hole putting course as well as retaining the single family dwelling.
|
|
| The location of the applicant’s property. |
In order to use the land as they hoped, they were required to apply to the Columbia Shuswap Regional District’s Agricultural Land Commission and if approved apply for either a rezoning or Temporary Use Permit.
The proposal also requests the removal of campsites from Williamson Lake Park and Campground.
The commission advised the regional district board to support the non-farm use provided that the board and the city work collaboratively toward conditions that would enhance Williamson Lake and “emphasizing that long-term agricultural potential not be compromised.”
As the land is adjacent to city owned property the application was referred to Revelstoke city staff.
|
|
| The proposed layout submitted by the applicant for the development. |
Daniel Sturgeon, city planner, reviewed the request and prepared a report for council, that was discussed during council’s March 26 in-camera meeting, recommending that the city not support the referral, voicing five concerns over the proposal:
- it threatens the agricultural viability and agricultural character of interface lands at the municipal boundary
- it could negatively impact the character and ecological integrity of Williamson Lake
- the city does not support removing camping facilities from Williamson Lake
- it has unknown impacts and show not proceed without coordinated and comprehensive inter-jurisdictional planning considerations
- it may create pressure for additional incremental applications for boundary expansions that were specifically intended to be avoided in the 2017 South Revelstoke Diagnostic Inventory Report
READ MORE: Big Eddy school lots soon to be for sale
Council sent a letter to the CSRD voicing their concerns dated March 26. It was reported to the public on April 9 as a business item brought forward from the in-camera meeting.
Stevenson announced Hyeum’s intent to withdraw their application on April 11.
Â
@JDoll_Revyjocelyn.doll@revelstokereview.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
