ADAMS RIVER: Development backs off marina

The developer of a controversial resort community on Shuswap Lake withdrew the marina component of the plan just as a packed public hearing into the project was about to begin on Monday.

After weeks of rallies, a letter-writing campaign and media coverage about the possible negative impact that motorized boat traffic could have on the Adams River sockeye spawning grounds adjacent to the 21-acre site, New Future Building Group downsized the West Beach project, dropping a plan to build a 160-slip marina from the rezoning application and lowering the height of the proposed condominium building.

The hearing, which drew hundreds of people, continued on the remaining 218 condominiums and 10,000 square feet of commercial space. The 100-seat hall at Scotch Creek was full and an overflow crowd milled around outside under a tent, warmed by two propane heaters.

"It was huge," said Jim Cooperman, who has been fighting the development for months. "It couldn't have gone any better."

Cooperman questioned the legitimacy of continuing the hearing after the form of the development was so dramatically altered.

"All of us had come there prepared to debate the merits of the marina," he said. "Suddenly we learn that the marina is gone.

"We weren't prepared and I think it raises the question of whether the hearing is legal and legitimate."

The Columbia Shuswap regional district will likely consider approving the rezoning at its May 15 meeting, manager of development services Jay Simons said.

The board has three options: approve the original bylaw with the condominium tower and marina, reject the rezoning outright, or alter the bylaw to reflect the developer's amendments.

Even if the rezoning is allowed as originally proposed, the provincial government would still have to approve the marina component before it can be built.

Opponents of West Beach had hoped to slow progress of the project until two major planning documents are completed. The regional district is nearing completion of an official community plan, which would guide the form and scale of development in the region. The district is also collaborating with the provincial government to complete the Shuswap Lake Integrated Planning Process, which would guide development on Shuswap and Mara Lakes with more stringent environmental guidelines.

With the marina all but dead, but the condo community very much alive, Cooperman is changing his focus to pressuring the provincial government to purchase the former campground to be held as a protected ecological conservancy.

The property is next to Roderick Haig-Brown Park, which is home to North America's biggest sockeye salmon spawning grounds, drawing millions of fish in peak years.

Environment Minister Barry Penner has asked his staff to consider buying the property through a program that identifies and acquires ecologically sensitive areas and converts some of them to provincial parks.

The developer, New Future Building Group, could not be reached for comment.

(prepared by Randy Shore/Vancouver Sun)