By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
The controversial proposal for a 60-slip strata marina at 8000 Cottonwood Drive has been given Osoyoos Town Council’s blessing, but with a 33 per cent reduction in slips.
The marina is part of a recently approved rezoning proposal for the property located at 8000 Cottonwood Drive. This new development will provide for 58 residential units in a mix of single-family, townhomes and condominium units.
The developer was originally seeking council support for a 60-slip strata marina facility in front of this new development.
A vociferous March 29 public hearing saw Osoyoos residents provide substantial input on the proposal with concerns over safety and impact on the public’s enjoyment of the lake, amongst other issues.
Since council last reviewed the proposal the size of the marina has now decreased to 40 slips. The size, location and number of slips will be secured through the development permit, with any proposed future change requiring council approval.
An approved strata marina at this location will prevent the placement of private buoys and anchors within the foreshore area. This is something that Gina MacKay, Director of Planning & Development for the Town of Osoyoos said “we’re trying to wean ourselves off of.”
Councillor C.J. Rhodes asked whether there is a ‘buy and sell’ component to the marina slips. MacKay replied that there is no commercial opportunity within the strata and so “buying and selling boat slips is not really of concern.”
She did note however that there have been previous instances of “people in other stratas wanting to sell their slip outside their strata organization.”
Mayor Sue McKortoff asked, “if I bought a property that had a boat slip attached to it and I decided I wasn’t going to have a boat anymore can I then sell it to my neighbour?” This would be up to the strata, according to MacKay.
The upland property is encumbered with two covenants, registered on title as part of the previously approved CD7 Zone (Indigo). The first covenant was registered in exchange for an increase in density.
The second covenant was to prevent a strata marine facility from locating in the foreshore at 8000 Cottonwood.
The recently approved rezoning resulted in a significant decrease in density, and council was being requested to support discharging both covenants in conjunction with the request to rezone the foreshore to allow for a 40-slip strata marina.
Council unanimously approved the zoning amendments.
