The province's recent offer to swap Crown land on the shores of Bridge Lake for Heritage Island was discussed at a public information meeting on Feb. 28, and it resulted in some heated debate.
Area developer Julian Kenney and his agent Nigel Hemingway held the meeting to inform area residents of the terms of the offer and the development plans if the deal goes through.
The Ministry of Natural Resource Operations' (MNRO) offer to exchange an 18-hectare (44 acres) parcel of lakefront Crown land for Kenney's 26-ha (64 acres) island sparked a mixed response from the crowd of about 50 people.
Residents who were worried about the loss of Crown land to development were opposed by others strongly voicing their support for the development. At times, it erupted into shouting matches.
Several of those in favour of the swap said progress must happen to improve the community and create jobs, and pointed to the benefit of preserving a large, private island as Crown land for public enjoyment.
Many in opposition expressed their belief there is no justification for removing land from a UREP (Use for Recreation and Enjoyment of the Public) reserve in place since the 1940s. They noted there is virtually no chance for development on the island anyway.
A surveyor's map displayed at the meeting showed the UREP boundary in place now running along some distance back from the waterfront directly through the parcel proposed for swap and the adjacent Crown land on each side.
Hemingway explained how the UREP could be lifted off of the lakeshore portion of the proposed development property and it would more than offset by MNRO's recommendation to have the island and the remaining portions of the two adjacent Crown lots placed into the reserve instead.
Other residents told MNRO staff in attendance that if the swap goes through, they should develop a park out of the new UREP portions.
A Greenall Road resident asked the developer to create a boat launch and all-terrain vehicle trails to ease concerns about potential trespassing on private properties by new residents.
Hemingway said he has been told by the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure that he may be required to build a boat launch at Greenall Road. However, he added the steep terrain at the development site would be prohibitive for vehicular access to the lake.
Existing trails will be preserved within the subdivision for foot traffic only, with parking space designated off the highway at the entrance of the subdivision to access the connecting trails and the lake's ice caves, he explained.
Significant concern was raised by area residents about a perceived inequity of swapping Crown land on the lakeshore for a water-access only island.
After much debate, Kenney agreed to release the appraisal document used by MNRO for public review, providing he gets permission from the appraiser he had contracted, and from the ministry, which demanded and set the terms of reference for that valuation.
With the public input phase for the swap finished and MNRO's offer on the table, Kenney is now at liberty to accept it if he so chooses, pending certain conditions that must first be met.
These conditions include environmental and archaeological studies performed on the development site with results acceptable to the province.
The required rezoning and other bylaw amendments for the subdivision, however, will go through the Cariboo Regional District's approval process, which includes a public hearing.