Developer wants to build 27 cabins off the grid
The would-be developers of a new 27 cabin resort, said to be environmentally friendly, will tomorrow appeal for West Kelowna council to approve the project for the Seclusion Bay area.
Municipal staff recommend council not allow the “off-the-grid” project, saying there are too many unknowns and potential problems concerning the water supply and sewage disposal.
Seclusion Bay is on the shore of Okanagan Lake between West Kelowna and Peachland, immediately east of the Highway 97-Highway 97 C interchange.
Project spokesman Trent Kitsch says the resort would make better use of a treed slope he describes as derelict since being burnt in a 2010 fire. The property is also littered with old tires and burnt chemicals, he says.
“Vision for the site is going to be leading environmentally,” Kitsch writes in a submission to West Kelowna city council.
“The environment and waterfront is being protected.”
The proposed eco-cabins, Kitsch says, would be attractive and fit in well to the topography of the site, at 3060 Seclusion Bay Rd. It’s simply an updated version of an existing resort on an adjacent property, Kitsch says, so it’s compatible with nearby land uses.
Kitsch also notes a top goal of West Kelowna’s official community plan is economic development, and says his project would result in the payment to the municipality of about $500,000 in various fees as well as $160,000 in annual tax revenue.
The decision for council is whether to amend the official community plan to change the property’s designation from resource to tourist commercial. Plans call for the cabins to be about 1,100 square feet, with a kitchen and bedroom.
“The eco-tourist concept, as proposed, is envisioned as a quasi off-the-grid development that utilities the natural features and environmental assets of the site to minimize impacts,” reads part of a city staff report to council.
Staff’s reasons for recommending council not approve the project include the fact the property is in the rural reserve and outside the urban growth boundary, and the lack of municipally-supplied water and sewer services to the city.
“The proposal requires a fundamental deviation from the spirit and intent of the city’s official community plan and, if approved, the contradiction would create uncertainty as to the city’s commitment to its planning vision and goals,” municipal staff write in their report to council.
Kitsch made his fortune with a type of underwear called Saxx, and his other business interests include a federally licensed marijuana growing operation in West Kelowna called Doja, and a winery.
“If we agreed with everyone who says no, there would be no Saxx underwear, there would be no Kitsch Wines, there would be no DOJA,” Kitsch writes in his letter to West Kelowna city council.