樱桃视频residents may soon see a new feature on our local waterways, as an adventure tour company prepares to make its presence known on the Mamquam Blind Channel leading out into the Howe Sound.
District of 樱桃视频council approved the business permit and re-zoning of a section of dock on the channel for Howe Sound Adventures, a Sea Doo tour company, following a public hearing on Tuesday night (May 15). Much of the meeting focused on the potential environmental impact of new businesses on the waterfront as well as what jurisdiction the district has over local waterways."The district's jurisdiction is limited to the zoning of the land adjacent to the oceanfront," said Cameron Chalmers, planning director for the district.
"Where we do have some ability to regulate how a business operates is through the business permit itself."
Under the permit, the tour company will be obliged to abide by its business plan, which calls for restrictions on where the company will take its customers.
"We won't be going up the 樱桃视频River, we won't be getting into the estuary and we will be steering clear of the spit," said owner Mike Bourget.
According to the business plan, all renters will be accompanied by a guide as they head out further into Howe Sound to ensure that they abide by the rules, including a 5 km-h speed limit in the Blind Channel itself.
"I'm pleased to hear that you will be avoiding the more sensitive areas, and it does address a lot of my concerns," said Coun. Corinne Lonsdale.
"I also like that there will be guides and people can't just go willy-nilly wherever they want."
The business will be set up along Loggers Lane at the existing floatplane dock. To allow for the business, the water lot will need to be rezoned for commercial uses.
"I understand that if the circumstances were a little different we would not have the opportunity to be discussing this with you at all," said Coun. Mike Jenson.
"You could have set up your business somewhere else and just used the government dock to drop off your machines and we'd have no jurisdiction."
Members of the public also expressed their support for the enterprise, noting that it will be a welcome addition to the waterfront area."I'm encouraged by what I've heard," said Carl Ingraham, a director with the 樱桃视频Yacht Club and operator of a small marina at the north end of the channel. "I do not oppose the proposal. We do share the channel and we just want to be good neighbours."
Howe Sound Adventures was granted a temporary two-year license, which will allow the district to review the business' operations."If they do not abide by the permit, we can review or even revoke it at any time," said Chalmers.
