— Developer hopes to start building 800-home community in 2008 —

(OSOYOOS TIMES — July 4, 2007)

By Lawrence McMahenrnOsoyoos Times

In what is being called the biggest deal for real-estate development land in the South Okanagan's history, the sale of the 70-acre Willow Beach property at the north end of Osoyoos Lake was finalized on June 30.
The deal will likely lead to development of a huge new residential community on the property, beginning next year.
Willow Beach (GLD) Developments issued a news release earlier this week announcing it has paid $23 million to Pearl Quintal and her family for the extensive property that until now has included a 38-pad mobile home park, a 120-site campground, a long willow-tree-lined beach, a four-acre Quintal family yard and home, and 65 acres of farmland.
The Vancouver-based company says it has applied to the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) for changes to the area's Official Community Plan and zoning so it can proceed with development of a master-planned, sustainable community of 800 homes.rnWillow Beach (GLD) Developments says its plan for a major mixed-use residential community received broad support from people who attended open houses in Osoyoos and Oliver in January and March.
The company says it hopes the rezoning process will be finished this winter so it can begin construction in the spring of 2008. When the rezoning is approved by RDOS, marketing of the project will begin. The first offerings to the public are planned for next February.
This spring the developer had raised the possibility with the Town of Osoyoos of looking at adding the Willow Beach development onto the Town's water system. Project architect Tim Ankenman says this was because there had been some concern that water sources on-site may not have been sufficient for the development. But Ankenman says that concern no longer exists, since five successful wells have now been drilled on the Willow Beach property, which will provide more than enough water for the new community. He says the company has dropped the idea of seeking water supply from Osoyoos.
Ankenman says a solution to the issue of relocation for tenants of the Willow Beach mobile home park is well underway.
A number of the residents had worried about loss of the value of their mobile homes, since they may not find another park willing to accept their trailers.
But Ankenman says the development company has purchased property at Ollala, a small retirement-oriented community just north of Keremeos, and is creating a mobile home park for those from Willow Beach who want to relocate there. The company will pay the costs and make arrangements for moving the mobile homes. In March a number of the mobile home park residents had indicated they liked the idea and planned to move to the new park.
Ankenman says roadwork and the running of electricity in the new Ollala park will take place within the next couple of weeks, and he hopes the mobile homes can be moved as early as next month.
He also says Willow Beach (GLD) Developments plans to open an office on the Willow Beach property soon, in the former campground store. It will contain an information centre, maps and other details on the development for anyone interested.
Ankenman says the development proposal that has been presented to the regional district is identical to what was displayed to the public at the open houses in Osoyoos and Oliver in March.
Display boards at those open houses said questionnaires filled out by 77 people at the first public consultations in January showed that the community felt the site should be redeveloped in an environmentally sensitive manner, should allow for a mixed-use development, and should house people of all ages and income levels.rnAt the same time, the developer said the site's current zoning doesn't allow for that full range of development, or for enough residential density and height to make the project financially viable.
Ankenman says the developer envisions a range of residential and commercial uses on the property, creating a real community.
This would include single-family homes, duplexes, townhouses, condos, small retail stores possibly with apartments or lofts above them, and possibly a wine museum or similar cultural/tourism attraction.
Preliminary drawings also proposed new water channels winding through the property, providing access to the lake from many of the homes.
We propose a real mixture of types of housing. We want young families, singles, seniors and empty-nesters, Ankenman said at the March open house in Osoyoos.
The distinctive stand of large willow trees along the beachfront will be preserved.
The company says the development is based on the principles of sustainability.
It says it will include geothermal heating and may also explore alternative energy sources such as wind and solar power.
The development managers for the project are Ankenman Marchand Architects and Chaston Construction Corporation.