First Reading for Scotch Creek Development
By Jo Anne Malpass
Bylaw amendments to permit a residential and commercial subdivision at the Hub/car wash/ former Frank’s campground property in Scotch Creek received first reading June 16 at the Columbia Shuswap Regional District Board meeting.
The properties at 4105, 4109, 4113, 4119, 4127, and 4137 Squilax-Anglemont Rd, Scotch Creek received first reading for amendments to the electoral Area F Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaws.
The owner of the subject properties originally submitted a bylaw amendment application in February 2020 to create a mixed-use subdivision that included eight lots for single family dwellings; 90 lots for year-round accommodation of RVs and park models; and retained all portions of properties along Squilax-Anglemont Rd for commercial development, said a report from CSRD Senior Planner Ken Gobeil.
Staff reviewed the proposed bylaw amendment with the owner and their engineers, prepared draft bylaws, and discussed utility servicing and pedestrian connectivity. However, before the original application could be presented to the Board, the owner revised the application to accommodate a subdivision of 108 lots for year-round use of RVs and park models. The revision removed any areas for residential or commercial development.
Bylaw No. 830 does not support year-round accommodation of RVs and park models. Staff discussed this with the owner and the owner then revised the application for seasonal accommodation instead.
The Board and staff had concerns that seasonal use of RVs and park models was not the best long term development option for the properties and noted that they would prefer to see a proposed development that included year-round residential and commercial uses.
Scotch Creek Development - conceptual design submitted by the applicant’s engineers (contributed)
The owner has now revised the application to residential lots and no increase in commercial development. This design maximizes the amount of dwellings while using the existing sewer system. Units could only have for one bedroom, or the sewer system designed would not have enough capacity.
The staff made changes to the proposal which would expand the commercial area the length of the frontage on Squilax-Anglemont and increase the lot sizes to minimum 300 square meters. Staff recommended changes would also allow for a variety of housing types, including single family, duplexes and multiple to offer a variety of practical housing options in Scotch Creek. Staff noted that improvements to the sewer system could be made so there wouldn’t be a restriction on bedrooms.
Area F Director Jay Simpson said he is in favour of staff recommendations, they are “consistent with what I feel is the best future use of the property. I understand the owners in maximizing the number of lots, but they are very small and maybe not conducive to a single-family residence.” He also agreed that devoting the frontage section to housing isn’t the best use in the long term. “This is something that will determine the character and the future of Scotch Creek. We need to get the right answer at this point. I believe staff has come up with a plan and a proposal that is the best we can do and gives the owner small lot sizes and the ability to be creative in their accommodations.”
Now that is has received first reading, it will be referred to agencies, government Ministries, Area F Advisory Planning Commission and all applicable First Nations bands and councils. The applicant will also be responsible for holding a public information meeting.
If the bylaw amendments proceed to next readings, there will be an opportunity for residents and property owners to voice their opinions in writing or at a CSRD public hearing.
