qathet Regional District (qRD) planning committee members were provided an overview of a development at 3930 Padgett Road that plans for a resort in Paradise Valley.
At the October 12 planning committee meeting, Trevor Kosloski appeared as a delegation to outline the resort he is planning to build at the property. Kosloski said he was appearing before the committee to share information about the development.
“I’ve been in contact, off and on, with the regional district, since I bought the property,” said Kosloski. “There are different avenues I could have taken with it, including subdivision and selling the property, but I really didn’t want to chop the land up. It’s quite nice.
“The land used to be in the agricultural land reserve (ALR) years ago, but it was taken out. It’s not really farmable. It’s kind of a big, sloping, rock hill.”
Kosloski said he was planning to build residences on the property. He said the property is going to be utilized as an equestrian resort.
“I’ve invested quite a bit into keeping the equestrian side of things, with the riding stables, the barn, and everything else,” said Kosloski. “All of the interior of the property is going to be left as fields and natural habitat, including working up the back toward West Lake.
“A lot of people have come to me and talked about whether I am going to expand and if it’s going to become one great big trailer park. It definitely is not the plan. That would work against my business plan. We are venturing into the environmental side of things.”
Kosloski said he was looking into rainwater harvest, which could potentially be one of the first fully community certified rainwater systems in BC.
“We are really behind the European countries that are already using rainwater for everything,” said Kosloski. “This development is really going to look at the environmental side of things and we are going to keep advancing that as our main goal. It’s not to put houses on it and destroy the whole, but it’s to utilize the natural surroundings.”
Kosloski said two people are employed full time at the property. He said he’s been working on the resort for about a year.
He said a big part of the operation will be doing backcountry trips. Part of the operation will be that it is non-motorized, so it will facilitate hiking, horseback riding and that kind of activity, he added.
“It works perfectly because the property lines into the back of the community, forests and crown land, and you never have to see the highway,” said Kosloski.
He said he had spoken with his neighbours prior to developing the project and he said he adjusted his plan to accommodate their wishes.
“They really didn’t want to see a subdivision,” said Kosloski. “I wanted to give you a quick rundown on everything and where it’s heading, and let you know it’s not going to be a mobile home park."
He said regarding the septic system, there have been a number of engineers involved in the project and compliance with all of the regulations.
Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne said how a septic system affects the water table is always a concern for the landowner, the neighbours, the ministry of health and the certified installer. Kosloski said there is a spot on his property where there are almost perfect conditions for septic installation. He said the plan is to make it as environmentally friendly as possible.
OCP policies
Gisborne said regarding the official community plan (OCP), it has policies regarding the number of dwellings per parcel, and he shares concerns with the community regarding water and septic. He said, however, those matters are entirely under provincial jurisdiction.
“The OCP has a bylaw that helps guide the land-use developments,” said Gisborne. “From what you are presenting, equestrian activities fit more with agricultural, there is a proposed store, which fits more with commercial, 20 dwellings in a small area, which leans toward a manufactured home park, and the hiking trails are more recreation. It’s a challenge to determine what box we put you into.
“What you have proposed sounds more closely aligned with a commercial recreation designation. There is some concern in the community about increased residential development, so my question is: would you be interested in applying for an OCP amendment to possibly a commercial recreation designation? Maybe it would contain a stipulation or covenant that would limit the number of dwellings. It can help the local government with planning and the community would understand more what the property is being used for.”
Kosloski said he has spoken with the regional district about that and that’s where he is leaning.
“I want to make sure the right designation is applied to the property to make sure what happens in the future doesn’t also make me noncompliant if zoning comes in,” said Kosloski.
He added that if he was to subdivide, he would probably have a lot more bedrooms on that property than what he is proposing.
“The way I’ve done it, it actually reduces the stress on the land,” said Kosloski. “I think people forget that this is 25 acres and I’m using such a small area for housing. I’ve done above and beyond as far as regulations and what was needed for building.”
According to Kosloski, the business has been in operation for two years and all the services for the resort community, such as septic and water, have been installed and approved.
