Bigger Cabin at Purden Denied
Thursday, May 16, 2013 @ 3:37 PM
Prince George, B.C. – The size of a proposed family cabin at Purden Lake sparked more than 2 hours of discussion at a public hearing at the Regional District of Fraser Fort George meeting today. In the end, the final decision was the Board’s to make and they opted to deny the variance.
The MacIntosh family would like to build a new cabin on the lot they had recently cleared in Purden Lake. The maximum allowable size for a cabin is 100 square meters. The MacIntosh family would like to increase that floor space to 129 square meters. To put that into perspective, the extra space would be about the size of two bedrooms.
Neighbours are not on side, arguing it will open the door for more mega residences on the lake and will put undue pressure on the lake. They point to Tabor, Ness and Cluculz Lake as examples of lakes which have water quality problems because of increased human pressure on the lakes.
Long time Purden Lake cabin owner, Bob Stowell, told the Regional District Board “I am older than some of the trees at Purden” then went on to say allowing a variance would “open the flood gates” and he asked the Board to spare itself from future headaches and deny the variance.
Speaking in support of the application, other area residents say the plan from the MacIntosh family is a good one, and they see no problem with the variance. Other neighbours argued the MacIntosh plan is too grand and would set a dangerous precedent.
Speaking in support of the variance, Director Shari Green noted she thought the size restriction was an outdated bylaw and that today’ owners should not be penalized for actions of others in the past, or what may happen in the future.
Director Ken Starchuck says he grappled with the precedent that could be set, and “I know we should deal with these as a one of, but I am concerned about the future applications, so I won’t support it.”
Speaking against the variance, Director Lara Beckett said “It’s our responsibility to protect it ( the lake) and the less built environment there is, it allows more resiliency for the lake to continue to be healthy.”
“Precedent is a big word here”, said Director Warren Wilson, who said he wouldn’t support the application.
Director Lyn Hall noted the precedent has already been set as the Board had approved another project that was 114 square meters on this lake.
Director Murry Krause said he too would support it, and hoped “This wouldn’t be an urban, rural divide” as all of the Directors from the City of Prince George were in support of the variance
In the end, the urban rural split was evident as each of the nine Directors from the rural areas voted against the variance, while the four City of Prince George Directors voted in favour.
Comments
That’s the best way to vote. Let Sheri Green talk, then vote the opposite!
They should have let this family build 2 more rooms, the size of a house has nothing to do with water quality.
Just a bunch of people afraid their taxes will increase. Just saying.
“the four City of Prince George Directors voted in favour.” These 4 just do not get it and never will…..RURAL is different from URBAN. Such city Hall goons – this is evident with how they handle the city of PG.
Sounds like these 4 are afraid of not being liked if they say no….LOL
Agree with guesswhat. Rural is a different life style than urban and the 4 city directors need to realize this. Can someone tell me why we have that many city council members sitting on the Regional District board?
Well I would love to be able to afford a cabin on Purden Lake. It’s like if your parents don’t own one and are handing it down to you, lake property is a pipe dream for most.
I have a hunch that the Regional District would not approve of any of the “cottages” that I saw on the St. Lawrence last year in the 1,000 Islands area, even the castles.
I’d actually wager money that the people objecting to this couldn’t tell a 100 square meter property from a 129 square meter property if they were looking at it. Based on the comments in the article, it just sounds like people are afraid their cabin won’t be the nicest in “their” bay anymore, LOL.
Somebody else wants to build by a lake and spend some money in the PG area, here’s what you do……..LET THEM!!!
I think it’s funny that people want to have the lake to themselves and have it pristine……there are a thousand lakes around this country, if you don’t want a bunch of other people around then go to a more remote lake. It’s that simple. But don’t expect a lake that’s on the main drag to stay unpopulated.
We need people that want to spend their weekends here and spend some money instead of looking to Vancouver, Mexico, Okanagan etc which takes money away from PG.
I typed into Google – Prince George and you know what it said for population…..showed 71,974 if you look back at the 1996 census it said Prince George was 75,150…..PG is SHRINKING!!!!!
It seems NMG, and mwk just don’t get it.
What a joke, we have a cabin at ness lake, and there is alot of big homes, 3000 sq ft and over, and we have excellent water quality, ness is one of the cleanest lakes around.
Well I appreciate everyone’s comments and or viewpoints I would like to say after having a cabin on Purden for 10 yrs we once thought how great it would be to have power and water sources and amenities on or near by. However after spending time on this wonderful lake we discovered how pristine and amazing it truly is. I know I could not give my children the same experiences on other lakes ( which as avid campers and outdoors family we have tried them all within a few hour drive from pg) and I’m sorry to those who bought a cabin at places like clucluz, tabor, bednesti, ness, summit, just to name a few… That Have become over populated and “dirty” . As a family we have learned the amazing wildlife and our loon that we get to show our kids and count how many eggs she has each year ( which went from 1-3 in the the last 2 yrs) and the weasel who has to always visit and give us an adventure! And the hummingbirds who get trapped for the kids to rescue or the other wonderful things that come with purden lake I’m sorry but I would not and could not have as beautiful wildlife and crystal clear water full of clean amazing fish if everyone could build extravagant cabins and destroy our lake as they have done so many other lakes! I’m sorry but we work and live in the city 5 days a week , when we go to purden, we always an adventure with nature, wildlife, and beautiful amazing surroundings. We dont want a condo or motel next door! and we shouldn’t have to suffer and lose our one of the last pristine lakes because other lakes and their councils around made poor decisions and allowed houses and condos to pollute and destroy what they once had! It’s an amazing and majestic place and I’m willing to stand to keep it that way for my family and the future families they will bring to this clean, fun, friendly lake that is one of the last to exist I’m this town. Which the city of pg as well as any travelers have access too via Purden lake campground to enjoy exactly what I’m speaking of. The people who have cabins on Purden are not being rude by requesting it stay the way we know it to be. It is not a remote lake in the fact that’s it there is a public campground and a provincial campground, (one small part of the lake is used by cabin owners) anyone can rent a cabin or camping spot on Purden lake!
I can’t believe what I’m reading.
How does having an extra 29 square meters make any difference to any of that? Answer: It doesn’t. Talk about your classic over reaction.
Only in PG this causes a 2 hour debate.
The standard was long since established by the community. One should not buy property on that lake and clear the land if they are not prepared to respect the long standing standard for developing lake front property.
Yup, lets keep everything to the lowest common denominator. That’s the way it was back then and that’s the way it’s going to be now. No power, no running water, no graded roads. Let’s keep everyone out and discourage the others to not even think about enjoying our little protected piece of the world.
Selfish, self-centered and just plain selfish attitudes. A family wants to expand their Caybun to address the growing size of their family and the other property owners have a say about that?
It’s one thing to make an argument to preserve a feel of remoteness or seclusion, and thus not allow ANY development, it’s quite another to suggest that adding an extra 29 square metres to a structure already approved for 100 will somehow destroy the “pristine” nature of Purden Lake.
The simple fact of the matter is that Purden Lake is already developed. It is a nice lake yes, but it is not “pristine” by any measure of the word. It houses a large Provincial campground, the entire east end is full of cabins, it has a resort on it and in the summer it is full of people flying around on seadoo’s and ski boats. I gave up fishing there (and the fishing isn’t even that great compared to other lakes in the region btw) because it was virtually impossible to not have people constantly fly by my boat at 30+ MPH within 20 yards of where I was anchored or trolling.
It’s simply a fallacy to believe that approving this variance would somehow destroy the natural balance of Purden Lake. There are lakes adjacent to MUCH higher levels of development than Purden Lake which are just as clean, have just as much wildlife and have better fishing. Heck, there are lakes that have entire cities on them that can lay claim to that.
I have no issue with people being against this development, but just be honest about your motives. It has nothing to do with protecting the lake and there is no “slippery slope” argument that can be made. We’re not talking about a proposal to make room for 200 new lots, it’s a proposal to add something the size of a living room. Just admit that your opposition comes down to a stubbornness or selfishness that cannot be rationalized in any reasonable way.
I agree with JohnnyBelt, only in PG!!!!
“Director Lyn Hall noted the precedent has already been set as the Board had approved another project that was 114 square meters on this lake”
That is the problem with allowing variances, it sets a ‘precedence’ in our city council’s mind for others to follow suit. A variance should never set precedence and each proposal for variance judged on its own merit.
How sad. Seems like the art student/poet mentality has now infected even the regioal district. Glad I’m at Cluculz, which is treated quite properly as a marine recreational area. Even Jasper woul;d allow this variance.
How sad. Seems the mentality is to make development as difficult as possible to keep people away. These folks are willing to spend good dollars to enjoy the outdoors and want to be comfortable while they are there. Purden residents get ready because, the lake will be a target for more people. So perhaps you should start to plan ahead and consider modern technology and conservation techniques instead of “We don’t want you, go away! This is our lake”.
Maybe the loons that rule city council should contact the Gulf Islands “government” to see how they keep the riff raff out or at least at bay. (no pun intended).
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