Nelson Landing: One Step Closer, Vows to Preserve Red Sands Beach
By Suzy Hamilton
It’s official. The CEO of Storm Mountain, Allard Ockeloen, and Peter Ward of Ward Engineering installed the welcome sign last week to the lakefront property known as Nelson Landing.
Phase one of the homes will feature eight townhomes priced in the $400,000 range for 1,300+ square feet, which Ockeloen hopes to begin building this spring.
“The new website went live this week and this community is ideal for those looking for waterfront living close to downtown,” said Ockeloen.
“More than 30 percent of the land will be dedicated as park including Red Sands Beach. A new trail system is being developed to connect Nelson Landing with the city and Red Sands Beach.”
News of the development on the former 12.5-acre Kootenay Forest Products mill site was not well received by the community in 2011 when it looked like the locals would lose their access to Red Sands Beach, a popular swimming hole within city limits.
But then owner David Sorenson bowed to pressure and agreed to preserve the beach for the public. Ockeloen, who bought the project from Sorenson, said he would honor that commitment. “It will remain as it is,” he told the Nelson Daily.
The public will have access to the beach via a waterfront pathway, as well as by road, with a parking lot at the top of the beach he said.
That’s good news for Herb Couch. He led the charge in 2011 to preserve the beach on Bealby Point when it looked like it would become private.
“It’s great to read that there is recognition by Nelson Landing and the City of Nelson that it’s very important to preserve the Red Sands Beach area as P1-Park, Open and Recreational Space,” said Couch.
“Our natural waterfront park land is a vital part of Nelson.”
However, Nelson manager of development services Dave Wahn said there has been no talk of parkland with the city yet.
“I can’t comment on this, but I can say there has been no formal application for that part of the property.”
“They have not applied for a rezone and that would be where the discussion moves. It’s still private property. The property could change hands and the new owner change their mind.”
Wahn said that the subdivision and variance processes have not been completed yet. Property owners within 61 meters of the property have the opportunity to make comments on the variance.
Variances requested by Nelson Landing include pathway and road size, Wahn said.
“It won’t be until at least March that this will come before council,” Wahn said.
But Oakeloen is confident that the new design and smaller scale—including moving a three story residence from the pier to the land—will appeal to a market which, at this point, has quite a bit to chose from.
A big difference from the 50 unit Nelson Commons, to be located at the foot of Baker Street is “We’ve already started,” he said. “There’s nothing like this on waterfront in Nelson.”
The greenest part of the development said Ockeloen is the remediation of the old mill site. “Our green initiatives are going in the ground,” he said.
“All of the townhouses will be highly efficient.”
Additional townhomes may be available if there is demand, said Ockeloen.
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