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New Update – Galloway Lands

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galloway lands

Hello members,

The purpose of this message is to update you on communications that have taken place between FNS and Handshake Holdings and encourage you to read the information attached below.

Recently, FNS was offered by Handshake Holdings the opportunity to control the conservation lands with a number of conditions. Please see this letter for the details. This follows the previously posted letter from Handshake Holdings. 

Our Board met this week and discussed the letter provided. The expressed intent for collaboration is appreciated as partnership for the long-term security of land access is fundamental to the success of our club, and we know is important to the community as well. The FNS Board determined that we are not in a position to enter a binding agreement at this stage in the rezoning application process for a number of reasons. As is consistent with our approach in all land agreements, we are supportive of collaboration with landowners for the benefit of the members of the Fernie Nordic Society and the community. Our response is below:

The original documents of the Application by Handshake Holdings Inc. are attached to our previous post HERE.

from the FNS Board of Directors

Galloway Lands Update – April 2023

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The purpose of this communication is to update our members as to the current status of the Galloway Lands rezoning application.

On April 13th, this application for rezoning was in front of the Regional District of East Kootenay Planning and Development Services Committee, and majority of the RDEK Board members voted to proceed to Public Hearings to be held on May 3rd and 4th in the interest of obtaining public input. The details are as follows:

In writing

Emails can be submitted to tvandewiel@rdek.bc.ca by Monday, May 1, 2023 at 4:30 pm.

In-person

Fernie Family Centre (521 – 4th Avenue, Fernie, BC)

Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 7:00 pm

Registration is not required to attend the in-person portion of the hearing but you must arrive between 6:30 and 6:45 pm to sign up at the door if you wish to speak.

Zoom Webinar

Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 7:00 pm

Link for the Zoom Webinar livestream: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_A5sYT_nHS-Svp9eLNlWbkg

If you wish to speak you must request to be added to a speakers list by emailing tvandewiel@rdek.bc.ca by Monday, May 1, 2023 at 4:30 pm. Email requests must include the name of the speaker and the address of your property that you feel is affected by the proposed bylaws. Please note that only those who are on the speaker list will be able to make a verbal presentation.

Application Information

Early in 2023, Handshake Holdings provided the FNS with a letter dated January 27 that included the following updates on areas of specific concern to the FNS that we raised in the previous application:

  • Change in development layout to establish continuous park/open space (removing covenants from the previous application)
  • Intent for land use agreement between Handshake Holdings/FNS to ensure continued access through land transition and construction where viable

Note that it was agreed that the letter read here was to be shared when the application became available for transparency, which can be accessed read application here.

The staff report provided to the RDEK is available at <<HERE>>

All documentation including all referral letters from agencies can be found on the agenda items, linked here: https://pub-rdek.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=5eb1a70f-86fc-4824-8b4d-29aaf8fea837&Agenda=Merged&lang=English

Attached Documents

The original Galloway Lands Application (8.2 MB) is available for download HERE

HH letter to Lohmann
HH Letter
Galloway Application (Low Res)
RDEK RFD Bylaws