Developer seeks relaxation on floodplain setback for project on north Kootenay Lake
By Timothy Schafer
A developer looking to put 27 resort cabins in Shutty Bench, five kilometres north of Kaslo, has asked the regional district area to relax a floodplain building setback so he can build closer to the water.
Kevin Hoffart. owner of Wing Creek Resort, applied for the setback for five of the 27 cabins planned to be built within the 15 metre setback required from Wing Creek.
Area D Advisory Planning Commission reviewed the provincial legislation and guidelines applicable for this kind of application and gave their approval, with the final decision forthcoming from the RDCK board of directors.
Under the Provincial Flood Hazard Area Land Use Management Guidelines, the baseline consideration for relaxing a setback is “serious hardship.”
Hoffart gave a presentation to the APC on the project in Shutty Bench, with information regarding their decision to partner with Hamill Creek Timber Homes and Kaslo Building Supplies to build to LEED Canada building standards.
For his part, Hoffart said eight reports in total have been completed on the project, including a drainage plan, sediment and erosion plan and alluvial fan assessment. The regional district had requested geotechnical analysis only.
Hoffart said they developed the plan for the resort to include five cabins closer to the creek in the location proposed so that there would be no development on their waterfront, notwithstanding their legal ability to do so (an accretion was previously granted).
He stated a commitment to retain the natural state of the beach.
The entire development plan was approved in 2009 with phase 1 already completed and cannot be changed.
Wing Creek Resort is a spectacularly beautiful, environmentally conscious waterfront resort that offers both ownership opportunities and vacation rentals in the remote and culture-rich Kootenay Lake region.
This unique 20-acre Kootenay Lake resort features thoughtfully designed luxury cottages and resort homes with spectacular views, lush forest trails, a private undeveloped beach, an orchard, gardens and the Falling Water Spa.
Source: Wing Creek Resort website
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