In Kaslo, British Columbia, residents are advocating for greater transparency and community involvement regarding the proposed South Beach development. The Village council is considering hosting an open house to provide updated information on ongoing land exchange negotiations with Quality Property Developments (QP) and the company’s rezoning application for an RV park according to an article by The Hamilton Spectator.
The proposed development includes an RV park with 75-90 sites, a small boat launch, four to eight private residences, and parkland featuring a public trail along the river to Kootenay Lake. South Beach property, also known as the Old Sawmill Site, spans approximately 30 acres and is bordered by the Kaslo River to the north and Kootenay Lake to the east. Only about 15 acres are developable due to steep grades.
The Village and QP are negotiating a land exchange agreement involving 5.44 acres of Village road allowances within the South Beach property, valued at $285,600, in exchange for 1.55 acres of QP’s land along the Kaslo River, valued at $81,375. These values were determined by an independent third-party appraisal.
QP Development’s proposed RV park would require rezoning the development area as commercial recreation and the remaining land as residential. The rezoning application’s first reading occurred in October 2023, followed by a public information meeting in November 2023. However, the lack of recent community engagement has led to growing concerns among residents.
The South Beach Working Group, a collective of concerned citizens, submitted a letter to the council requesting an open house. “Users of South Beach and the community at large require up-to-date information about what is currently being planned for the area, this disposition of Village-owned property, and potential alternatives to the developer’s plan,” the letter stated. This sentiment was echoed by numerous community members at the October 8 council meeting and in additional letters to the council.
The proposed development has faced opposition from some community members, who have raised concerns about potential impacts on water supply, flood risks, and the loss of lakeshore access. South Beach has served as an unofficial park for the community since the closure of a sawmill in 1980. Some residents are concerned about protecting the sensitive ecosystem and retaining public access to the land.
Ed Grifone, senior consultant with CTQ Consultants and agent for Dale Unruh, president and CEO of Quality Property Developments Inc., highlighted the economic impact of tourism, stating, “Money is being spent in the community from people staying in RVs. Kaslo is going to be a tourist destination for quite some time.”
The property’s location in the Kaslo River floodplain restricts the construction of major structures and complicates waste disposal. Grifone mentioned that the regional district requires structures to have wheels for quick evacuation in case of a flood, and the existing septic system can only accommodate sewage from RVs, not year-round permanent housing.
Mayor Suzan Hewat emphasized that the current discussions and potential land exchange are not final decisions, stating, “People think that when we advertise things like leases and sales, that it’s a done deal. But it is to announce that this is what [the Village] is proposing, and that it could still lead to further discussion from the public.”
To improve transparency, the Village staff will compile relevant documents, letters, and reports about the South Beach development and make them available to the public. The Village is working to balance the interests of developers, residents, and environmental considerations, including plans to address water supply concerns by implementing restrictions on sprinkler use in the RV park during dry months.
Mayor Hewat encouraged residents to stay engaged by attending council meetings, held at 6 pm on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Agenda packages are made available on the Village’s website before each meeting, and recordings of regular council meetings are typically posted online within 48 hours.