A requested downzoning to permit a campground near Sicamous’ town centre has been denied by district council.
A memo by District of Sicamous community planner Mike Marrs states applicants Howard Yakimishyn and Christopher Blower were seeking to rezone property at 222 Temple Street from R5 Medium Density to C3 Resort Commercial. The purpose of the zoning amendment was to construct a 26 to 30 unit fully serviced campsite facility, with sites that could accommodate a variety of RV and tent structures. A small playground, restroom and shower facilities are included in the development proposal.
The memo states staff is opposed to the application to “down zone” the property as it conflicts with the district’s official community plan (OCP), which “encourages a variety of higher density residential development in close proximity to the Town Centre, as opposed to a “short-term accommodation, high-turnover-type development.
Marrs notes how the Temple Street property has been rezoned to accommodate multi-family development, a 50-unit structure for which the district would have collected $316,650 in development cost charges. With the 30-site campground, he says, the district would collect $69,870. Marrs also says approval of the campground could result in a reduced tax base – $21,300 in general taxation, as opposed to the $93,700 that would have been collected from a 50 unit townhouse complex.
“In addition to increased taxation revenue, there would be an estimated $46,100 extra collected in utilities per year if the downzoning did not occur and a 50-unit townhouse were constructed,” writes Marrs.
Coun. Macolm Makayev said he agreed with staff recommendation to oppose the project, saying he thought the district should get better value out of the property than a potential seasonal operation.
“ We’re trying to get away from seasonal – we’re trying to diversify our economy,” said Makayev.