A majority of members of city council don’t like the idea of 60 extra motor boats in Kootenay Lake around Nelson, because of the potential for a noisy, crowded lake.
So at its Monday meeting it sent a rezoning plan for the former Kutenai Landing site back to the drawing board.
The rezoning application by Sun Holdings Inc. wanted a simpler zoning designation than one that was developed for the owners of Kutenai Landing in 2008.
There is currently no proposed development for the site, only a proposed new zoning that the owners say would make the site more attractive to developers.
The new MU2 zoning would call for a maximum 4½ storeys and allowable uses in addition to housing include care services, multi-unit residential, neighbourhood pub, restaurant, short-term rental, live/work space and cannabis retail.
Offices, retail outlets and health services would also be allowed, but only adjacent to Hall Street.
The proposed P1 and P2 zones would allow for the waterfront pathway and a public dock and marina.
On Aug. 12, council passed first and second reading of the rezoning application, and the required public hearing was held just before Monday’s meeting.
At the hearing four members of the public spoke. Their concerns were the definition of neighbourhood pub, the marina and number of slips, building heights, and the capacity of city infrastructure to cope with such a development.
At the meeting, five city councillors commented that they have heard public concerns about the marina. The property is currently already zoned for a 60-slip marina, so the proposed new zoning would not change this.
“I’m hearing from people that they don’t want a marina,” councillor Rik Logtenberg said. “I would like to see it specify non-motorized, non-combustion boats. Sixty more motorboats is hard to swallow.”
Councillor Jesse Woodward agreed.
“There is a nervousness on the street,” he said. “Is the cost of development a loss of the natural beauty of the area? This is a constant question.”
Councillor Cal Renwick said he is in favour of the proposed marina zoning, and said “I don’t think it will add 60 boats. People that typically take their boat on a trailer to Lakeside would have an opportunity to park their boat on the water seasonally.
“Some of the boats at the Prestige marina are sailboats,” he added. “I don’t see a problem with the marina. The one at the Prestige is always full. People are looking for a place to keep their boat, and there is an opportunity for employment down there.”
Councillor Keith Page suggested houseboats instead of motorboats.
“Working with the developer we could create something exciting,” Logtenberg said. “Sailboats and non-motorized boats – I think this would add value to the waterfront. A marina but not for motorized boats.”
Council ultimately defeated the motion to approve the proposed zoning on third reading, and referred the matter back to management staff, to explore options related to the marina.
RELATED: Nelson council to re-zone former Kutenai Landing site
bill.metcalfe@nelsonstar.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter