Just a few of the recreational homes envisioned for 45745 Cartmell Road in Chilliwack as part of the Minto Landing project. (Image Credit: Minto Landing.)
Housing project

City of Chilliwack staff recommend councillors deny recreational housing project near Fraser River

Apr 20, 2026 | 7:03 AM

CHILLIWACK – An ambitious plan to build over 100 recreational homes near the banks of the Fraser River will come for a vote before Chilliwack councillors this week, but city staff say they’re concerned there are substantial flood and erosion risks associated with the project.

According to item 7.15 on this week’s Chilliwack City Council agenda package, the City of Chilliwack says it has has received an application to amend the 2050 OCP designation and rezone the property at 45745 Cartmell Road to facilitate the construction of 118 recreation lots (cabins) with an amenity building, 28 recreational vehicle sites, a discovery centre/cafe and an accessible commercial boat launch, marina and dock.

Andmark Properties is looking to redevelop 10 acres of a 35-acre waterfront property at 45745 Cartmell Road into a short-term and long-term recreational leasehold community. Andmark Properties and its people built projects like Malloway Village, Skynest, Englewood Village and Englewood Courtyard. Additional amenities of the proposed project could include a water taxi to Kilby Historic Site and Sandpiper Golf Course and a discovery centre that will highlight the Fraser River’s ecosystems and the surrounding environment.

A staff report prepared by city planner Stacy Johnson says that as part of the standard application review process, the City of Chilliwack evaluates any technical information and additional details and documentation to support the proposal and ensure the site is safe for the intended use as part of a complete application proposal for Council’s consideration.

However, in this case, Johnson noted in her staff report that the applicant has formally requested that staff bring the application forward for council’s consideration without providing the necessary supporting engineering studies, technical information, or drafting the new zone to facilitate the proposed uses on the site. As such, and in accordance with the city’s public hearing and public information procedural bylaw, the application is being brought forward for council’s consideration. Councillors can deny the request or proceed with the amendment bylaws.

Site plan of the proposed recreational housing development.
Site plan of the proposed recreational housing development. (Image Credit: Minto Landing)

Staff are recommending that council deny the request to amend the OCP designation and rezone the subject property to facilitate the construction of a campground because they say the proposal does not align with the overall intent or objectives of the City’s OCR to manage growth responsibly, build healthy communities and encourage development in areas that are safe or protected from the flood risk of the Fraser River, and does not comply with the Floodplain Regulation Bylaw requirements restricting development outside the dike.

Rendering of proposed homes at Minto Landing.
Rendering of proposed homes at Minto Landing. (Image Credit: Minto Landing.)

Further, the city says there are substantial flood and erosion risks along the Minto Channel of the Fraser River; therefore, any proposed development should be required to meet the city’s Floodplain Regulation Bylaw 2018, No. 4519. The municipality also says in the absence of documentation that supports the proposal and ensures the site is safe for the intended use, no new habitable structures are supported outside the standard dike due to the high risk of flooding and erosion.

A panoramic view of the Fraser River and beautiful Chilliwack surrounding the proposed Minto Landing housing project.
A panoramic view of the Fraser River and beautiful Chilliwack surrounding the proposed Minto Landing housing project.

As an alternative to the current proposal, staff do support the property being used for open storage associated with the industrial uses permitted within the current zoning, or a recreational campground, including minimal amenities such as washroom facilities, serviced through an onsite well and septic system and developed in accordance with the City’s Campground Bylaw. Both options would still be required to meet all applicable bylaws and development standards, including the Floodplain Regulation Bylaw and setbacks for riparian protection.