Gateway

A meeting with proponents from Gateway Lakeview Development resulted in positive movement. There was/is some discrepancy of what exactly was in progress on the property prior to the zoning. Presently there are about 211 units allowed on the Gateway property and the owner believes that they could prove they had intent, plans and infrastructure for the creation of over 400 dwelling units plus a restaurant, swimming pool, retail store.  The CSRD planning staff conceded that the 200 plus living units were likely pre-planned before zoning.  Beyond that number, they did not see enough  plans/work to prove the remaining suggested projects on the property.  Eventually a legal challenge was submitted by Gateway to clarify  this difference.  In 2010 Gateway and myself entered into a discussion to find common ground and prevent the costly business of ligation.

Courts are expensive, time consuming and there is a 100% chance of losing and a 100% of winning or some strange hybrid that the courts impose that make neither party happy.  We searched for a COMPROMISE.   The CSRD made it clear at the onset that the OCP indicates this area is not intended for large growth, it is not a secondary growth area. OCP’s are flexible documents and are made to be changed. Under the circumstances we recognized that there would be a good reason to bring a redefined proposal back to the residents of the North Shuswap.  The Gateway proponents seeing that there was willingness for the CSRD to work with them went back to the drawing table.

As of recently, Gateway has proposed anywhere from 300 and 310 living units (this would include existing). The units would be clustered together in order to create more green space than was suggested before.  Other things that were discussed and offered as possible changes were;  redirect the existing treated effluent pipe from the lake disposal to ground disposal, improving the site appearance, going from a shared interest ownership to a strata, more green space, less units than was proposed, a store, a pool, amenities buildings and of course, not being taken to court. The style of development they want to create could attract  more permanent residents. In the discussion they also want to lessen the impact of the look of the property, not only close by but also from across the lake.   These points were not guaranteed as some are dependent on legal and monetary ability to accomplish them. 

There are possible negatives to growth such as the impacts on surrounding neighbours and environment. There could be positives such as employment opportunities, increased uses of local businesses and affordable living places.

As the details come out and the discussion is brought to the residents, they will have a large influence on how this proposal plays out. The ball is now in the community, the CSRD and the proponents hands. We can have common objectives that could be reached if we worked together.