Land off the Trans-Canada Highway west of Revelstoke has been initially approved for rezoning to fit 60 campsites, which the regional district says could “fill a void” for visitors needing a place to stay.
At a Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) board meeting Feb. 19, area directors voted in favour of rezoning land in Area E near Three Valley Gap to become commercial resort property for a campground with five-dozen spaces.
Located about a 17-minute drive from Revelstoke at the intersection of Highway 1 and Mabel Lake Road, the grounds could include 40 RV sites, 10 tourist cabins and 10 tent sites, as well as an office building and washroom facilities.
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However, final campsite numbers would depend on how many visitors the on-site infrastructure for water, sewage and other needs could support.
The three-hectare site is currently undeveloped as a medium holdings lot, beside a manufactured home, and surrounded by seven privately owned properties that were subdivided in 2023. Despite the proximity of these properties, the CSRD’s staff report says trees provide a natural buffer between them and the proposed campsite.
“Having the tourist cabins closer to Mabel Lake Road (also called Wap Lake Road), between the camping units and these residential properties, will also help reduce noise from campers at the resort,” it adds. “Traffic impacts should be minimal given the proximity to the highway.”
The rezoning also gives the applicant flexibility to build up to three dwellings for employee housing, if needed.
Overall, “staff do not expect any negative impacts to the community as a result of the proposed bylaw amendments,” the report notes.
The CSRD board overwhelmingly supported rezoning the land for commercial resort designation at its February meeting, granting first reading so staff may proceed with regional stakeholder consultation.
Area E director Rhona Martin called the proposal a “welcome addition” for the Columbia-Shuswap amid housing developments that have increasingly squeezed out camp spaces in recent years.
“Many of the traditional places for people to stay are being converted to strata, and there aren’t any places for people to camp anymore, so this could help fill a void,” she said.
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Martin especially liked the unique location of the site, between Revelstoke and Sicamous.
“If you wanted to go hiking in Revelstoke,” she explained, “or you wanted to go to the beach in Sicamous, you’re not far from either one, so I look forward to this as it goes through the process.”
Now, the rezoning proposal is being referred to CSRD departments, Interior Health, the B.C. government and local First Nations. Directors noted the Ministry of Transportation and Transit may have feedback about the campground sitting near the highway.
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