People may soon be living in townhouses where games of mini-putt are currently played.
The development proposal for the WhistlePunk Hollow Adventure RV Park site is moving forward.
In 2016, the owners of the RV Park and campsite said the business was winding down after a townhouse project directly south of his land was approved by council.
On July 24, councillors were asked to take the first step in approving a rezone from RV campground to mixed-use.
The current Anthem Properties proposed development would include 79 market condos, 56 rental condos, 116 market townhomes and 24 affordable rental condos. The proposal also includes space for commercial retail, office, light industrial and a childcare facility.
The land is split between a triangular portion that borders the Mamquam River north of Centennial Way. The second and third portion on the site is the current RV park site south of Centennial Way.
Last Tuesday, councillors voted to move the project to second reading but expressed concerns about the loss of campground space and available parking.
“An important part of our brand is to allow people to come here and visit and we just made the national news for too many people camping in their vans in the district. We’re about to — with this rezoning if it goes forward — exacerbate the problem,” said Coun. Karen Elliott.
Elliott noted that there are some long-term residents in the existing RV park, who will have to relocate now that the park is closing.
“I will reluctantly support first reading, but I have a lot of concerns for this,” she said.
Councillors also had concerns about the current parking configuration, including a lack of driveway space for some of the market residential units.
Coun. Doug Race also noted that adding bus service to the two-lane Loggers Lane could create traffic delays on a trucking route.
In exchange for the zoning change, the developer has proposed community amenity contributions.
The benefits include a proposal to cover the costs of providing water service to the Mamquam River Access Society campground, a value estimated to be around $353,325.
The amenities also include the affordable rental units, market rentals and child care facility. The finished development will also include landscaped public paths and two children’s play areas.
The current intersection at Loggers Lane and Centennial Way would also be overhauled at the developer’s cost.
The project also includes $836,500 in cash contributions for the District that would go toward transportation, public art, housing and parks.
