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Elizabeth Lake Lodge addition approved
City of Cranbrook council last night approved an addition to Elizabeth Lake Lodge.
Council unanimously approved a Highway Corridor Commercial Development Permit for George and Rachel Freitag, owners of Elizabeth Lake Lodge, located at 590 Van Horne Street South.
The permit will enable construction of a new lodging building on the triangular property at the corner of Van Horne Street South and Wattsville Road.
“The applicant proposes to construct a one storey, four-unit lodging building with fitness room, to be situated parallel to the fence line along Wattsville Road. The proposed lodging building will-transform the existing RV parking area and is part of a multi-year program to replace the original motel lodging units with updated facilities and a consistent look across the property,” the Corporate Services Department report outlined.
Before council could approve the development permit, it first had to approve a Development Variance Permit to accommodate parking considerations for the property.
“Sufficient parking spaces for the lodging units are indicated on the site plan, with additional area indicated for improved accessible parking,” Corporate Services noted.
Additional landscaping is also proposed as part of the site development..
“The applicant indicates that landscaping will include Crimson Tide Maples, Columnar Aspen trees, Boxwood Hedges and grassed areas adjacent to the new building. Landscaping will be maintained by a combination of automatic irrigation and hand watering. Previous to this development application, the applicant has completed extensive site landscaping, perimeter fencing, and wall murals, as well as helping facilitate public trail improvements to the adjacent Confederation Park,” Corporate Services stated in its report to council.
“We feel we have achieved a polished look to our property along Highway 3, as well as the Elizabeth Lake property line. The third phase will transform the current RV Park along Wattsville Road into a lodging property that is consistent in both look and feel,” stated lodge owners George and Rachel Freitag in a letter to the city.
They also noted they hope to begin construction in August with a hoped-for completion date of April 2016.
Council enthusiastically approved the DVP and development permit.
“It’s a positive move for the town and a very worthwhile project,” remarked Mayor Lee Pratt.
“We’ve seen some success from Elizabeth Lake Lodge recently. I think it’s great to see he’s going to have more room,” said Coun. Danielle Cardozo.
“This place is amazing. I support it 100%,” added Coun. Isaac Hockley.
Coun. Norma Blissett said the property and plans for the addition “look aesthetically pleasing. It will improve the visuals coming into town.”
Ian Cobb/e-KNOW