Developer hears comments on resort plan

If one small but very vocal group of people had their way, development in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area would cease to be an issue — it would just cease.

At an Advisory Planning Committee meeting at the Shirley Community Hall on May 28, the overwhelming consensus among the 50 or so people in the audience was that they did not want a resort/campground adjacent to the Juan de Fuca Trail.

Developer Ender Ilkay had come before the Advisory Planning Commissions for East Sooke, Port Renfrew and Shirley/Jordan River, in a series of four meeting at the end of May, to explain his ideas for a resort development close to the Juan de Fuca Trail on lands released from Western Forest Products’ Tree Farm Licence 25.

Ilkay had come before the Juan de Fuca Land Use Committee on April 21 with two applications for zoning amendments in the Renfrew District. On one of the applications he is proposing building a tourist resort consisting of 132 resort cabins and a caretaker’s residence on 25 hectares located south of West Coast Road and north of the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail within the Rural Resource lands of former TFL 25. On the other, Ilkay is looking to build an 126 recreational vehicle site and a 60-unit tourist lodge and caretaker’s residence.

The applications have been sent to various agencies, including the Dogwood Inititiave and the Jordan River Steering Committee, for comment.

Ilkay said the other APC meetings were generally positive towards his plans, although the meeting in Shirley was not.

“There are areas of concern, also some very good constructive feedback on how to make it better,” said Ilkay. “That’s exactly what we are looking for.”

The two biggest concerns expressed, said Ilkay, was the impact on the Juan de Fuca Trail and the issue of how to deal with emergency services. There was also concern that rezoning those rural lands would set an example for others.

The APC in Port Renfrew was especially supportive of the proposed project. Ilkay said with the final section of the Pacific Marine Circle Route now paved and significant work being done at Loss Creek, the circle route was now totally functional for tourists.

“Now we have a real Circle Route,” said Ilkay, “and the province wants more tourists.”

He said with the closest community being Port Renfrew he hopes he can solve some of the ongoing issues in the community by offering employment to residents.

“It looks like there could be a real solution there,” said Ilkay. “I’m grateful to have good communication with Port Renfrew and very good communication with the Pacheedaht. I see a lot of positives there.”

He said a lot of people stop him and say they think it (his development) is a good idea.

“I would suggest these are very uniquely positioned properties. Our property is the only privately owned property along the Juan de Fuca Trail.”

He said the government has spent taxpayers money to stimulate the economy and now a private business is willing to spend millions and put it into the local economy by providing lasting jobs.

“A small vocal powerful lobby group is obstructing the whole process and making it extremely difficult to do business,” said Ilkay. “Imagine what it would mean to the businesses in Sooke?”

Ilkay will continue forging forward with his consultation process.

“I want to hear from a lot of people,” he said. “There are a lot of smart people out there with good ideas. I want them to voice their concerns and suggestions to help shape something into a really great resort.”

Ilkay has hired City Spaces Consulting to help with the public consultation process.

Ilkay, along with many others, will be looking forward to the outcome of the Capital Regional District appeal taking place on June 23-24 in Vancouver. The CRD is appealing a ruling made by Justice Metzger of the B.C. Supreme Court. His ruling struck down the zoning bylaws that were put into place by the CRD limiting lot sizes in the Juan de Fuca area to a 120 hectare minimum. The CRD was then granted a stay of proceedings which allowed the bylaws in regard to rural resource lands to remain in place while the appeal is heard.

The courts will also be dealing with a lawsuit between the CRD and Western Forest Products and the Association of B.C. Landowners.

In a comment on the The Dogwood Initiative website in regard to Ilkay’s development, Maurita Prato, forests campaigner, states the organization has concerns about; lack of amenities in the development area, limited water resources, the dangerous state of Highway 14, sewage treatment and runoff, impacts on wildlife, and climate change and destruction of the wilderness character of the Juan de Fuca Trail.

Public Hearings will be held on the zoning amendment applications subsequent to them passing second reading by the CRD Board.