The owners of Apple Beach RV Park are considering building a motel or hostel on the property. The new zoning that Town council approved will allow that use. File photo
If James and Catherine Hodge weren’t so busy at Apple Beach, they would have time to think about their future plans.
“When the sun shines we make money,” James said Monday night after Town council approved their request to change the zoning of their property from CT1 to CT2.
The new zoning allows the Hodges to build a motel or hostel – an option they are considering.
“It does open a lot of doors,” James said.
Initially, the Hodges wanted to change the zoning of their RV park (at 915 Bulrush Road) to accommodate single family homes. They previously stated that the resort was no longer financially viable.
But council turned the proposal down, electing not to approve a significant rezoning prior to an Official Community Plan review.
In an interview August 7, Catherine said that she and James were waiting with baited breath to hear what council eventually decided. She was worried that council would once again leave the business in limbo.
“It doesn’t really matter to them, they’re not the ones trying to run a business,” she said.
Councillor Larry Schwartzenberger said the CT2 zoning change was a reasonable request to align the property under the same regulations as other campgrounds.
James said they always asked to be treated the same as the other campgrounds in Oliver.
He noted the hot weather has kept them so busy at the resort, with no time to think about the future. In fact, if it was always this busy, they wouldn’t have to entertain other plans.
“Maybe in the winter we will think about it; it takes time to raise the finances.”
When asked about the application process with the Town, James said he never wants to go through that again.
“It is very slow . . . it’s not a place for quick answers.”
