Concerns Raised at Eagle Bay Rezoning Public Hearing
By Jo Anne Malpass
Residents living near a proposed 49-hectare subdivision at 5193 Ivy Rd, Eagle Bay expressed a range of concerns at a public hearing led by Columbia Shuswap Regional District Area C Director Marty Gibbons and CSRD Senior Planner Ken Gobeil.
These included more crowded roads which would also require more maintenance, water and sewer, stress on local emergency services, congestion at nearby Shannon Beach Park and Whitehead boat launch, wildlife displacement, changes to the ground and surface water to properties below, increased garbage and fire danger during construction.
The applicant is proposing to rezone the property from Rural Residential, Tourist Commercial, and Public and Institutional Rural Holdings to a new Comprehensive Development Zone (CDC7) to allow for a residential and commercial subdivision.
Development Area 1 would permit a residential subdivision with a minimum parcel size of 0.4 ha (1 acre) for one single family dwelling and one secondary dwelling on each lot, served by community water and a sewer systems.
The area proposed for residential development is 46 ha. The proposed zoning would allow approximately 100 lots; the current proposal is for 31 lots. However, final development may differ from the maximum potential noted in the bylaw amendment.
Development Area 2 of 2.8 ha would permit commercial lodging for a rental cabin business as well as indoor and outdoor recreation facilities.
Residents at the hearing were told the owner would upgrade the existing Eagle Ridge water system, which did not allay concerns about increased taxation for maintenance, and the sewer system would need to be compliant with Interior Health requirements.
As required in subdivision Parks Land Dedication, the applicant proposes a trail to connect the subdivision to Shannon Beach, which could be accessed by other residents. One resident pointed out the area is steep and local taxes would be required for maintenance.
The CSRD Board will consider the rezoning application at its December 8 board meeting, where it can approve, amend or deny the proposal. Director Gibbons said residents’ concerns about whether this is in the best interest of the community had been noted and he would ensure these would go to the board. The proposed lot layout is also dependent on review and approval by the Provincial Approving Officer.
