A developer has proposed establishing an RV campground in Sicamous, British Columbia.
The proposal, discussed at the planning and development committee meeting on October 16, involves the phased installation of 20 fully serviced RV sites at 1315 Nordin Court, adjacent to Highway 1. The first phase would feature 10 lots on the east side of the property, with plans to add the remaining sites on the west side later.
The proposed campground is situated on a parcel currently zoned as C-2 Highway Commercial, which means the RV sites would constitute a “non-conforming use.” To facilitate the project, the applicant applied for a temporary use permit (TUP) valid for three years, with a potential renewal option.
According to an article published by Salmon Arm Observer, Nicole Hansen, the district planning services manager, indicated that there is also an opportunity to re-zone the property to RVP-4 Recreation Vehicle Park for a longer-term solution, depending on future needs.
However, committee members raised concerns about the project’s long-term implications. Committee member Deb Heap questioned the absence of a clear plan for what would happen after the permit expires.
She acknowledged the usefulness of TUPs as transitional zoning tools but emphasized the need for clarity on future developments. “In the notes I read, there didn’t seem to be any real discussion of the next phase, what happens after the TUP,” she stated.
Jeff Mallmes, representing the Yarmoloy Group, the applicant, also explained the broader vision for the site. He noted that the long-term plan includes constructing a pre-cast concrete building along the highway, featuring living accommodations on the upper floors and commercial spaces on the lower level.
Mallmes confirmed preliminary discussions with potential tenants have taken place, although they have not yet committed to moving forward. “You put the infrastructure in first to generate a little revenue,” he added.
Councilor Ian Baillie also raised concerns about the consistency of land use and the possibility of future applications for similar projects. “If this is a road we’re going to go down, and we’re going to allow this, then we’d better be prepared for more of these applications,” Baillie remarked.
Baillie also pointed out the lack of detailed proposals or designs related to the long-term vision for the site, which made it challenging to assess the project’s viability. He emphasized the importance of having a plan in place to address the community’s long-term needs for housing and commercial development.