The Village will look into hosting an open house to inform the public about South Beach – namely land exchange negotiations with Quality Property Developments, and the company’s rezoning application for the site.
The decision comes after the South Beach Working Group, comprised of concerned citizens, requested an open house via letter. Many members of the public appeared at the Oct. 8 council meeting online and in-person to underscore a desire for an open house. Council also received four other letters, included in the meeting’s agenda package.
“Users of South Beach and the community at large require up-to-date information about what is currently being planned for the area, this disposition of Village-owned property, and potential alternatives to the developer’s plan,” reads the letter from the working group.
Landowner QP Developments has proposed an RV park for South Beach. The company would like to rezone the RV park development area as commercial recreation, and the remaining land as residential. QP submitted a rezoning application in 2023.
The company hosted a well-attended public information meeting last November, but there has not been any kind of public forum since. The Village has received countless letters since then, most against but some in support of the development.
Council gave QP’s rezoning application first reading in October 2023, and second reading only recently, on Aug. 28.
The Village and QP are also in the midst of negotiating a land exchange. The agreement would see QP purchasing 5.44 acres of Village road allowances located within the South Beach property. The Village would purchase 1.55 acres of QP’s land in the riparian area along Kaslo River. If the Village proceeds with the land exchange, it would benefit from owning all land along the river’s riparian area, and a small piece where the river meets the lake.
QP’s rezoning application hinges on obtaining the Village’s road allowances. Without them, it can’t consolidate lots and move forward with the next steps of development.
Second reading does not mean council intends to approve rezoning; it is still up for discussion and changes can be made. As well, the terms for the purchase and sale of land are non-binding until an agreement is finalized. Nothing is set in stone yet.
If council decides to move forward with the land exchange, it will advertise on the Village website, the bulletin board inside and outside of City Hall, and in the newspaper – either the Valley Voice or Pennywise, depending on publication timing.
“There is going to be public notice about how this project is going to move forward – if that’s what council decides to do,” said Allaway.
“People think that when we advertise things like leases and sales, that it’s a done deal,” said Mayor Suzan Hewat. “But it is to announce that this is what [the Village] is proposing, and that it could still lead to further discussion from the public.”
In the meantime, Allaway said staff will look into setting up an open house. Staff will also compile relevant documents, letters, and reports about South Beach, and make it available to the public.
Hewat said residents can watch for South Beach on upcoming council meeting agendas.
“There’s nothing stopping any members of the public from logging in on Zoom and hearing the discussions, or showing up in person,” she said.
Council meets at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Agenda packages are uploaded to the Village’s website on the Friday before the meeting. Regular council meetings are recorded, and typically available online within 48 hours.
