A new zoning bylaw for Area B was passed by the board of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District last week.
“Although it took a long time to get here, I think it was worthwhile waiting to make sure we did the job right,” said Area B director Loni Parker. “I’m not one to rush things and then after the fact have to go back and make changes.”
The bylaw provides zoning regulations for the entire area from Trout Lake to Mica. Existing land uses are included in the bylaw and it also incorporates regulations for the large Shelter Bay development. “We wanted to make sure it encompassed his development and all the different stages of it,” said Parker.
The most notable change is that it adds zoning to areas that didn’t have it before, such as Trout Lake, Galena Bay and Beaton.
“I think it’s a testament to the people in the communities of rural Revelstoke, Galena, Trout Lake and Beaton, because they really came out and supported the process and gave thoughtful information to us,” said Parker. “We had thoughtful discussion and I think that makes quite a good OCP and it makes the zoning blyaw easier to put in place.”
One Trout Lake resident, who asked not to be identified, said he didn't expect the zoning bylaw to result in any big changes.
"I think the big concern is most of the lots — 98 per cent of the lots down here are legal non-conforming," he said. "Everybody's worried about what happens if the place burns down, what will it cost to get conforming."