A proposal for a 10-lot subdivision at the north end of Tuc-el-Nuit Lake was shot down by Oliver Town Council Monday.

Council rejected an application from James and Katherine Hodge to rezone their Apple Beach RV Resort from tourism to residential use.

During a public hearing, a part-time resident of a nearby RV resort asked council to reject the proposal in order “to keep nature and tourism at that end of the lake.” She also worried about the impact of a construction project in the neighborhood.

During debate, Mayor Ron Hovanes described the lakefront land in question as “a pretty special piece of property.”

He and others lamented the lack of community input on the rezoning application and pointed out that the upcoming review of Oliver’s Official Community Plan would offer the opportunity to revisit the issue.

Councillor Larry Schwartzenberger pointed out that the current RV/campground operation is not doing well and “saving it as tourist-commercial (zoning) isn’t doing any good.”

Following the decision against the rezoning, James Hodge said he is disappointed, adding that he has spent about $10,000 on the rezoning process.

“The town really doesn’t like change,” he said.