By Heather Black
EAGLE VALLEY NEWS
Sicamous resident Deb Heap will have some leeway on the usage of her property while she figures out a long-term plan.
Council unanimously approved a Temporary Use Permit that will allow the commercial storage of boats at the rear of her 809 Riverside property – with that ceasing once the permit expires – despite some concerns.
“I’m just wondering if we need more boat storage in town,” Coun. Todd Kyllo questioned, pointing out that a similar storage property just down the street from her isn’t yet at capacity, nor is Three Buoys or the Sicamous waterfront. “I totally understand if everything was full, but I think we need to support the businesses that are already in business.”
Heap, however, assured council that she isn’t going into the boat storage business; this is just a temporary measure to give her some flexibility in making use of the property while she figures out what she wants to do with it.
While that short-term usage satisfied Kyllo’s concern, Coun. Gord Bushell saw it as a potential problem, citing another such temporary permit on a lot that has since turned into a bit of a dump site. He did, however, credit Heap with ensuring that her stored units are kept at the back of the property with some tree screening in place, but granting such permits does set a precedent.
Council granted the permit unanimously.