Kaslo council has approved a revised purchase and sale agreement with Quality Property Developments (QPD), advancing plans for a proposed strata RV park at South Beach.
The decision came after more than a year of negotiations, technical assessments, and public consultation.
The agreement passed by a 3-2 vote during council’s Aug. 26 meeting, with Councilors Erika Bird and Matthew Brown opposing and Mayor Suzan Hewat along with Councilors Moly Leathwood and Robert Lang voting in favor.
The agreement outlines conditions that must be met before the Village transfers its road allowances and parcels within South Beach to QPD.
The transfer is essential for QPD to consolidate lots, rezone the land, and subdivide the property to support the RV park project.
Under the agreement, QPD would pay CA$269,220 for 19,307 square meters of Village land.
In return, the Village would receive 1,447 square meters of QPD’s parcels at no cost, land valued at CA$44,625.
The village would gain ownership of property within 30 meters of Kaslo River’s natural boundary and 15 metres of Kootenay Lake’s boundary.
The agreement follows a closed-door Committee of the Whole meeting on July 30, where council debated possible approaches.
Three motions were brought forward: a land swap without financial compensation, an economic and social impact study, and a land disposition process. The first two were defeated, while the third carried.
“I’m still of the opinion that a land swap without financial compensation for the Village is the right way to go,” Bird said during the Aug. 26 meeting, as reported by Nelson Star on September 12.
Councilor Brown voiced similar concerns, highlighting opposition from residents. “I would bring the attention of council to the many, many legitimate concerns stated in the large volume of correspondence received by council on the matter,” he said.
Since the project was first introduced in late 2023, council has received hundreds of letters, with the majority opposing the RV park.
Despite the opposition, the purchase and sale agreement was approved, enabling the Village and QPD to begin meeting the outlined conditions.
Key terms of the agreement include surveys of Kootenay Lake and Kaslo River boundaries, verification of water system capacity, and assessments covering archeological, environmental, flood hazard, and sewerage dispersal concerns. Indigenous consultation and compliance with environmental regulations are also required.
QPD must dedicate a 20-metre road right-of-way as a public highway and construct pathways along the river. The agreement also requires naturalization of the proposed flood wall area and the adoption of an RV park regulations bylaw by the village.
