— Developer tries again to get approval for 66-ft dock —
(OSOYOOS TIMES — May 23, 2007) —
By Julie TurnerrnOsoyoos Times
The developer of a resort on Lakeshore Drive is making a second attempt to gain approval for an oversized dock.
A dock application for the Walnut Beach Resort “ which was rejected by the province's Integrated Land Management Bureau (ILMB) last July after Council told ILMB it did not conform to the Town's Dock Regulations Bylaw “ will be coming back to Council for consideration at a meeting soon.
And this time, Lakeshore Developments Limited (Palcor) “ the project's developer “ says it has completed a $75,000-study to back up the size of the dock it wants to build; although when asked what size of a dock was being applied for, Palcor President Rudy Loewen told the Osoyoos Times, I can't verify the length; however it was determined by the bathometric survey which was done to ensure sufficient water depth.
He adds, The design has been approved by all provincial and federal agencies involved in the approval process.
The previous application was for a dock measuring 66 metres long, substantially exceeding the Town of Osoyoos' Dock Regulations Bylaw which is set at 30 metres into the lake from the high water mark.
The Town's Development Services Department confirmed the variance being applied for is also 66 metres.
Osoyoos' Chief Administrative Officer Helen Koning says in December, Lakeshore Developments Limited applied to the Town for a variance to our dock regulations along with an environmental impact assessment prepared to support the dock application.
Koning says, as with all land use applications, the request was referred to a number of agencies for comments, including the Ministry of Environment and Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
During the referral process the application triggered a federal assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. Presently, staff are reviewing the comments received during the referral process and the results of the federal assessment, she adds.
Loewen explains that the development of Walnut Beach Resort has been governed by the highest environmental standards and voluntarily complied with the Riparian Area Regulations, even though the legislation had not been enacted at that time.
The dock design has also been prepared in compliance with the highest environmental standards and in conformance with the Best Management Practices of DFO.
If approved, the Walnut Beach Resort's dock will provide slips for 24 boats.
He adds that in its bylaws, the Town makes no provision to ensure proper water depth for environmental [sic] responsible boat moorage.
Once it receives a report from staff, Town Council will make a determination on whether the dock variance will be approved or rejected.
The Walnut Beach Resort development, located on Lakeshore Drive, is currently under construction and is expected to be completed by next April.
It includes 112 studio, one- and two-bedroom units, a pool, hot tub, fitness room and other amenities.
