It’s been a rocky road, but the rail trail in Sicamous finally got the green light when council unanimously approved the rezoning needed to move forward.
A second public hearing was required for the rezoning after Mayor Colleen Anderson exercised her authority to bring the matter back to council after it was originally defeated in a 4-3 split vote on Feb. 14.
Approximately 140 people attended the April 10 meeting at the Seniors Centre, with another 45 on Zoom, to plead their case for or against, with the majority of speakers being proponents of changing the properties from R-1 residential to P-3 parks.
Barbara Scott, owner of Sicamous Houseboats, said she understood some councillors’ initial hesitation in wanting to do their due diligence, but asked that they “don’t be the red tape” in holding up the project.
“I don’t believe for a second that there’s anyone in this room that doesn’t see the value of having this beautiful trail for us to hike on. I think everybody wants to see that,” she said, adding she moved to Sicamous because of its possibilities. “I believe this community is sitting on the edge of greatness. And I honestly believe that something like the rail trail could be the motivating factor that just gets us there.”
While some opponents spoke against the zoning specifically, they did agree with Scott’s initial comment that the Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail is wanted, but aren’t sure the parks designation is the right avenue.
“Everybody wants to see this rail trail completed… however, we do not need to railroad 23 properties by zoning it to parks in order to make this trail happen,” Natalie Sorkilmo said. “There are other options available, softer options in the zoning - transportation corridor.”
She added that P-3 zoning also raises legal issues relating to the official community plan, with a letter from a lawyer having been submitted to council in that regard.
“You are all on notice and have been made aware,” she said. “Yes, there are legal implications to zoning it to parks. Yes, there are other options available that would make absolutely everybody happy and would allow the trail to move forward immediately.”
Councillors who had previously voted against the rezoning, defended that by pointing out this pause gave them time to get additional information they had felt was missing. Coun. Gord Bushell said he was now comfortable with voting in favour, but did admit parks isn’t the best zoning.
“It was a tough decision to say no… when we did vote no, it wasn’t to stop the rail trail, it was just a pause to get the right zoning. I still don’t really think it’s the right zoning… but we can still adjust it or still change it to a transportation corridor,” he said. “Myself, I would like to do it right the first time, but we don’t want to lose the funding.
“We’ve got to make sure we look after all our taxpayers and make a way for everyone.”
The rest of council agreed the rezoning will allow the project to get started, but that construction will take while, giving them time to explore options and find the best fit for everyone.
Coun. Bob Evans, who had voted in favour the first time, reiterated his analogy from then.
“Tonight is good because we’re going to get this truck in first gear. First gear isn’t fast, but it is moving,” he said. “We’re going to get this done…we’re going to get going, and solutions will come as we get going.”
Third reading of the rezoning carried unanimously to a round of applause and cheers from the standing-room-only crowd. It will be brought forward for final adoption after approval is received from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
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