Area developer Julian Kenney, of Cariboo Heritage Land Developments Ltd., and land-use consultant Nigel Hemingway are making headway toward a possible land swap with the provincial government.
The Ministry of Natural Resource Operations (MNRO) has offered to swap the developer's island in Bridge Lake for Crown land approximately half the size of what Kenney says he'd proposed more than two years ago.
The potential agreement involves a straight-across-the-board trade of the 26-hectare Heritage Island for 18 ha Crown land on the lakeshore, he says, adding there would be potential development of up to 18 lots with a minimum size of 0.8 ha (two acres).
Kenney and Hemingway met with the Friends of Bridge Lake (FOBL) on Feb. 9 to provide the group with information on the proposal and to obtain its feedback prior to an upcoming public information meeting.
FOBL president Jim Dunbar and directors Karl Schmitz and Richard Smith attended the meeting, and Schmitz says his group expressed some concerns and proposed several changes to the plan.
The MNRO offer is based on the assessment of the Crown land as though rezoning for lakeshore residential use has been done, which Schmitz noted is “ostensibly” to assure the smallest portion of Crown waterfront is traded for the larger island.
FOBL is pursuing further investigation of land value with the ministry, since the Crown portion includes waterfront lots that Schmitz notes should be worth far more than the island, which can't be rezoned for development.
The FOBL also suggests the developer double the size of the waterfront riparian zone from 15 to 30 metres, to apply greater restrictions on tree and brush removal near the lake, he adds.
Kenney says he agrees in principal to increase the riparian zone to 30 metres and he will also consider placing building envelopes on the lots to protect the trees.
Meanwhile, area property owner Ann Blades says she is opposed to MNRO offering 18 ha of land in an environmentally sensitive Crown reserve set by the government in 1946 for Use for Recreation and Enjoyment of the Public (UREP).
There was no reason for the ministry to consider this swap because the developer was denied his application for development of Heritage Island several years ago, Blades says, adding the swap would set a precedent in the province.
Kenney notes the province trades Crown land for private property already, and has an official policy for that.
Blades is encouraging others to get involved with the issue of the potential land swap.
"I urge property owners, visitors to Bridge Lake and those concerned with protecting environment and wildlife to speak up now to save this environmentally sensitive riparian zone and Crown reserve before it is too late."
The public information meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the Interlakes Community Hall.
