The site of the failed residential project Red Point might soon be home to a Recreational Vehicle (RV) park. Property owner Kingswood Development has applied to the district to develop an RV park on the Upper Mamquam Blind Channel property, which is currently zoned tourist commercial.Since the park would be in line with the area's current zoning, Kingswood would not be subjected to the same lengthy rezoning process they endured twice for Red Point.In a recent press release Kingswood president Lorne Segal shared his new plans but kept his focus on what he considered a lost opportunity."We were obviously very disappointed that our rezoning request for Red Point was refused on July 15," he said. "We had been looking forward to building a high quality, multi-family residential development at the gateway to Squamish."Segal described how developers had tried to work with the district and the Ministry of Transportation on Red Point, adding that the project also had support from the Squamish Nation.The RV park proposal was presented with a strong air of defeat."Despite this support and all our efforts council voted four to three against the rezoning. So we are proceeding with an RV park, which is a permitted use under the current zoning and the only option which makes economic sense."Kingswood anticipates the site will accommodate 70 RVs with various support facilities. It expects construction to begin as soon as possible.During the July 15 hearing, Coun. Corinne Lonsdale said she supported the idea of an RV Park, but Coun. Greg Gardner said Wednesday (July 30) that he has other ideas for the site."I do believe that there are higher and better uses for that property," he said, choosing not to elabourate while the Upper Mamquam Blind Channel land use plan unfolds.After a bumpy start with deadlocked landowners in the area, the planning process is set to continue this fall with no clear end date.Segal said Kingswood couldn't wait any longer to develop the site."We have been involved in this process for close to four years. Some members of council may want to undertake additional planning in the neighbourhood but we have no idea how they will define that process and we are concerned it may take months, if not years, to complete. "We simply cannot wait that long so we are proceeding with this outright use now."
