A new flyer was distributed today about the Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail and the proposed rezoning of the Rail Trail properties within the District of Sicamous from R-1 One and Two Unit Residential (current zone) to P-3 Park – General (proposed zoning).

For clarity, the flyers released today and last week were not created or distributed by the District of Sicamous.

In small font, the flyer indicates *This message is independently brought to you by Concerned Citizens. 

Please note that the flyers being distributed contain incorrect and misleading information. Once again, the district encourages residents to access information from official communication sources. These sources were shared in our April 5 news post For the Record: Rail Trail Flyer.

Flyer Fact Check: 

• The P-3 Park - General zone proposed in Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1044 supports the Rail Trail as a permitted use. Principal Uses within the zone include:
• "Nature Park means use of Land, Buildings or Structures primarily for conservation and enjoyment of natural areas. Uses can include Boardwalks, trails, environmentally sensitive areas, minor gathering areas and Nature Sanctuaries."

•  "Nature Sanctuary means the non-Commercial Use of Land, Buildings or Structures for the preservation of plant and animal life and may also include a Nature Centre."

•  "Park means Land which is owned by the District or other government which Land is dedicated for public use for recreational and or conservation purposes."
• The P-3 zone would apply to the upland Rail Trail properties. The foreshore area along the Sicamous Narrows (Channel) is zoned W-1 Marine General which allows private docks.
• There is no conflict between the foreshore zoning and upland zoning. Docks are permitted within the W-1 zone. 
• The Official Community Plan identifies the Transportation Corridor along the west side of the Channel as a future non-motorized trail (OCP s. 6.2.5 and 6.3.12) The P-3 zone is the best-suited zone for the intended Rail Trail use. The principal uses of P-3 support trails and public use for recreation and conservation.
• Changing the zoning of the Rail Trail properties to P-3 does not establish a regional park service or dedicated park. The Rail Trail was created as a regional service, by Bylaw No. 5755, in 2017. It includes a maximum that the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) can requisition for the service.
• The district is committed to working with the CSRD to regulate the use of the Rail Trail and enforce bylaws within the district boundary. 
• The P-3 zone does not conflict with Zoning Bylaw 1000, 2022 or the definitions of “Park”, “Semi-Waterfront Parcel” and “Highway”. 

The Public Hearing for Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1044 will be held at the Sicamous & District Seniors Centre on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, starting at 5 p.m.  Learn More!