An eco-lodge with “glam-tainers,” yurts or “glam-tents” could be coming to the shores of Plowden Bay in West Howe Sound following a decision by Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) directors to move ahead with a proposed bylaw amendment.
The amendment would allow for the construction of a tourist resort in the south portion of District Lot 2657, which neighbours property owned by Howe Sound Pulp and Paper.
Plowden Eco-Lodge would be located on a 6.6-hectare strip of shoreline at the site of an old log launching area and would be accessible via a forest service road that crosses the mill’s properties to the west and south. West Howe Sound Director Ian Winn attended a public information meeting involving the applicant and managers of the mill. “I think it was resolved that they would discuss it and make sure that all of the right of ways and things like that were in place,” said Winn.
Winn said the site would be primarily accessed via Thornbrough Channel. Some concerns were raised about conflicts with other water users, such as log floats, but according to a staff report, “the channel has sufficient space to accommodate many users, and as long as caution is taken, potential conflict can be avoided.”
The tourist resort will consist of campgrounds, a boat launching dock and an unspecified number of sleeping cabins – a term that isn’t included in the current zoning bylaws. Glam-tainers, yurts or glam-tents were included as examples of pre-fabricated temporary dwellings in a previous staff report. Because the dwellings are pre-fabricated, staff has suggested using the term “portable cabin” in the bylaw. The cabins would have a maximum floor area of 60 sq. metres, and can contain multiple rooms, one kitchen and bathroom. To keep with the temporary nature of the portable cabins, the bylaw would also restrict people from occupying the cabins for more than 15 days in a month and a portable cabin can’t be considered an auxiliary building or structure – in other words, not a permanent tiny home.
Retail services and tours would also be offered at the site, which would use wind and solar energy for power and have its own septic system, recycling depot and on-site wells.
A public hearing on the amendment has been scheduled for 7 p.m. on July 17 at Eric Cardinal Hall.
