A controversial mill project got the go ahead from the regional district Thursday, despite concerns that it would harm area ecotourism operations.
The rezoning of a 0.5 hectare section of Steve and Joanne Pelton's 9201 Loos Rd. property to allow a family-run sawmill in Crescent Spur received final approval from the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George directors.
Directors Murry Krause, Lara Beckett and Andru McCracken were not in favour of amending the Robson Valley-Canoe Downstream official community plan to support the portable sawmill, log yard and processing facility. The operation is currently located at 8599 Loos Rd. but its lease is up at the end of next month.
"Crescent Spur is not where we send industry to go," argued Valemount Mayor McCracken, adding the board of directors needed "a damn good reason," other than cheap land to bring industrial projects into the rural residential community.
At a public hearing in McBride in February, a total of 39 letters were submitted to the district of which 34 expressed opposition to the project.
The bylaw amendment was pushed through to third reading at the regional district in April, despite a recommendation from staff to deny the proposal as it was was creating a conflict with residential and other established uses.
As a way of smoothing things over with their neighbours, the Peltons also placed a covenant on the land that states sawmill use on the land will not take place during July, August and September.
But Beckett said she was disappointed the covenant did not address other concerns raised at a public hearing, including those surrounding noise and the burning of waste.
