No one speaks against Icy Waters’ land development

With a map detailing two wildlife corridors and land set aside for public use, it appears the Icy Waters Arctic char farm has public support for its plans to create six new country residential lots.

With a map detailing two wildlife corridors and land set aside for public use, it appears the Icy Waters Arctic char farm has public support for its plans to create six new country residential lots.

A public hearing on the rezoning of 11 hectares for the project took place at Monday evening’s city council meeting.

No opposition was heard, and city staff reported 24 letters, all supporting the development, had come forward.

That support comes after initial arguments against the development.

While the city had received 26 letters of support during the process to amend the Official Community Plan (OCP) from Natural Open Space to Residential - Country for the development, several residents spoke out against the proposal.

During the public hearing on the OCP change earlier this year, residents argued there wouldn’t be enough space left for wildlife. The critics also said there wasn’t enough planning for the development and there could be a negative impact to Porter Creek from phosphates altering the water chemistry.

It was argued the fish farm was already releasing too many phosphates into the water system, but records passed on to city council showed the farm has stayed within its licence limits over the past few years.

As Icy Waters vice-president Jonathan Lucas told council last night during the public hearing, the company has been speaking with the Kwanlin Dun First Nation, Friends of McIntyre Creek and the Porter Creek Community Association, among others.

“We commenced that after the initial public hearing and OCP process,” he told Coun. Florence Roberts of the consultation with the various organizations.

Displaying the proposed subdivision map, Lucas pointed to two wildlife corridors that would be put in place to address some concerns.

The 10 per cent Public Use Land Dedication the city requires with subdivisions, he continued, would be in an area that could be accessed by the public.

“There’s a great possibility of developing and rehabilitating the hiking trail and connecting (to) the Trans Canada Trail,” he said. The wetlands in the area would provide a great view for hikers using the trail.

Lucas then suggested the city turn over stewardship of the public area to the Friends of McIntyre Creek.

Following last night’s public hearing, city staff will prepare a report for council prior to second and third readings on the rezoning.

The proposal will also have to receive subdivision approval from the city before it could go ahead.