Image: Google Maps / The red pin indicates the location of a proposed holiday resort south of Chilliwack.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Proposed resort south of Chilliwack

First reading of proposed holiday resort south of Chilliwack voted down

Jan 22, 2026 | 6:30 AM

COLUMBIA VALLEY — A committee comprised of elected officials on the Fraser Valley Regional District board of directors has voted down first reading for a proposed holiday resort in the Columbia Valley south of Chilliwack.

Members of the Electoral Area Services Committee convened last Thursday, Jan. 15 to review a proposal from Chilliwack-based OTG Developments to develop 50 RV sites and 12 holiday cabins for temporary vacation stays at 43940 Frost Road in Electoral Area H, Columbia Valley.

The proposed development envisioned an off-leash dog park, washroom/shower building, management office with an attached convenience store, playground, and required utility infrastructure for onsite servicing. The development would have been accessed through an 8.0-metre wide constructed access point connecting directly from Frost Road to the north.

Director Taryn Dixon, representing Columbia Valley in Electoral Area H on the FVRD board, made a motion to refuse this application for an OCP (Official Community Plan) and zoning amendment because it was not consistent with the existing OCP which was adopted in 2013.

Image: Taryn Dixon / FVRD Electoral Area H Director Taryn Dixon.

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“The vision of Area H states it’s bound by a strong connection to the natural environment, a commitment to stewardship and a desire to protect the natural beauty of the rural landscape and the quality of the environment,” Dixon said at during the meeting. “It is a place of rural lifestyles where that application is.”

Dixon said the South Cultus portion of Area H has grown immensely since the OCP was initially adopted, citing the addition of approximately 500 homes within resort zones.

“These were designated at the time of the OCP after extensive public input,” Dixon said. “There currently exists a large parcel of land at the south end of Cultus Lake which is zoned holiday campground park. When it develops it could see an additional 183 lots for recreational vehicles and camping. This was also anticipated in our OCP.”

A 74-unit hotel development is coming to the north end of Area H, Dixon poined out, but this was also incorporated into the OCP at the time of its adoption.

“They were anticipated but residents still expressed concerns about those coming and the growth they would bring to our area,” Dixon said. “Their concerns are generally around safety (and) additional traffic congestion.”

The Cultus Lake Stewardship Society continues to look after the fragile ecosystem of Cultus Lake, Dixon emphasized. Society stewards have data that indicates the health of the lake is deteriorating because in part of the excessive number of visitors. Their goal is to protect the Cultus Lake watershed and that is also one of the OCP objectives, to preserve the natural beauty, scenic values of the environment and rural landscape, Dixon said.

She also said there is just too much traffic going through Cultus Lake, causing problems for residents and emergency responders.

“At this time the traffic on the road is at capacity. It’s increased over the years but on weekends in the summer the drivers experience congestion and stoppages, and traffic slows to a crawl,” Dixon said. “Emergency responders have expressed concerns year after year of the challenges they experience when trying to get to an emergency in a timely manner.”

Dixon said for the past 11 years, she’s heard loud and clear about the concerns with traffic, illegal parking, and struggle for emergency vehicles as they travel through Cultus Lake.

“Adding more vehicles add to the problem that already exists, and residents tell me they feel trapped on weekends,” Dixon said. “Wildfire is another concern that currently exists in the area. This is expressed constantly. There’s one road in, one road out. The road is narrow, winding and often has vehicles parked illegally. It impacts our ability to evacuate in a safe and reasonable manner. Adding more people into the area at the far end feels irresponsible.”

Dixon said the applicant was advised to connect with the public prior to submitting an application and unfortunately, this did not happen.

“Now, we must make the decision based on knowledge of existing OCP zonings and current conditions of Area H,” Dixon said. “I’m asking my fellow directors to support the motion to refuse this application. Thank you.”

There were no comments from fellow electoral area directors, who all voted unanimously to refuse to give first reading to the bylaws cited in the FVRD Electoral Area H OCP amendment Bylaw No. 1813, 2026 and FVRD zoning amendment Bylaw No. 1812, 2026. The application was officially refused, but it will still head to the regular FVRD board meeting later this month on January 29 for voting.

FVRD spokesperson Samantha Piper, who serves as the FVRD manager of communications, told Fraser Valley Today that committees alone cannot make a decision. Rather, they make recommendations to the FVRD board for final discussion, consideration and voting.