The Galloway Land project has taken another step forward, following a meeting of the Regional District of East Kootenay’s Board of Directors on Friday.
The RDEK Board approved a third reading to amend the Official Community Plan and zoning designations of the Galloway Lands properties.
Board Chair Rob Gay says the proposal aims to permit increased residential development for the properties, while also creating a conservation or recreation parcel on private properties near Fernie Alpine Resort.
“So there will be 90 residential homes built over ten years. These developments don’t happen overnight,” Gay says. “Certainly, one of the benefits that we heard loud and clear is a second access into that property. So right now, the people that ski at the Fernie ski hill or live there all take one road. In the winter, that road is very busy. Let’s say there was a fire or something like that, there’s no secondary egress.”
Gay thanked everyone who took part in discussions around the Galloway Lands.
“This was one of the largest ones that I’ve ever experienced in my 18 years,” Gay says. “We’ve had very thoughtful letters on both sides. Some people certainly weren’t in favor of the proposal the way we saw it, others were. Lots of letters, probably over 400 letters, we had two public hearings. People are very well informed, including our directors. They spent a lot of time on the materials and the different presentations.”
One of the approved bylaws will now be forwarded to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for approval under the Transportation Act.
It will then return to the RDEK Board for adoption at a later date.
A full release from the Regional District of East Kootenay can be found below.
A proposal in Electoral Area A to amend the Official Community Plan and zoning designations of multiple properties known as the Galloway Lands has advanced through the third reading stage of the bylaw amendment process.
“I want to acknowledge and thank everyone who participated in the process, whether it was in conversations with Directors, through written submissions or participation in the two nights of public hearing earlier this month,” says RDEK Board Chair Rob Gay. “It was clear from the thoughtful discussion during Friday’s board meeting that Directors have spent considerable time listening, going through information and considering all points of view in helping inform their position. And, while there were a range of opinions around the table, it was good to see our board demonstrate such respect for one another in spite of differing views.”
The Board voted 9-6 in favour of giving third reading to Bylaws 3213 and 3214. Bylaw 3214 will now be forwarded to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for approval under section 52 of the Transportation Act. If Ministry approval is granted, the Development Agreement proposed by the applicant must then be registered on the title of the lands subject to the bylaws. Once confirmation of the registration of the Development Agreement has been received, both Bylaws will come back before the RDEK Board for adoption.
The proposal aims to permit increased residential development and creation of a conservation / recreation parcel on private properties adjacent to Fernie Alpine Resort.
The RDEK Board approved third reading on the bylaws at it’s May Board Meeting on Friday.
– Rob Gay, Board Chair – Regional District of East Kootenay
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