Country Road RV is one step closer to realizing its ambitious million dollar expansion plan.
Nick and Sherry Tytkanych, owners of the recreational vehicle business since 2008, have applied to the town to have six acres of the seven-acre property rezoned from Urban District Reserve to Highway Commercial District (HCD).
Currently one acre of the property, which angles in a triangular point towards the west bank of the Red Deer River, is zoned HCD.
The couple appeared at town council on Nov. 5. Council is being asked to consider a Land Use Bylaw amendment that would allow the couple to move forward on their plan.
Nick gave a PowerPoint presentation of their plans. Although there was some initial written public concern over the removal of trees, as well as gravelling and the future of green spaces at the site, no one appeared at council to voice their opposition.
Nick told council in his presentation that in four years his business has grown by more than 20 per cent and that he expects his staff to increase next year to 35 to 40 employees from its current 25.
“We are congested. We are looking in the future to expand on the service end of it. The solution is to redesignate the land,” said Nick.
He said the first phase of a four-phase plan has been completed, including restoration of the historic wood cabin on the property that was built by local pioneer businessman John MacLeod in 1944.
Last month Nick said he has spent more than $100,000 over the past year to restore the
800-square foot cabin, which the couple hopes will become a tourist attraction for the town. He added in October he has already spent about $500,000 in upgrades to the property.
“The cabin can be used for warranty work and the community can use it,” said Nick, adding he wants to ultimately match the appearance of the cabin to the era it was built. “I want to give back to the community that has welcomed us.”
Council was also told the couple has invested in installing attractive pioneer-style fencing to add to the character of the upgraded site.
“What makes us different, and I have been to other RV sites, is that they are not inviting with typical eight-foot fences,” said Nick, who told council that landscaping at the site has removed trees but new ones have been added. “We have tried to preserve as many of the old-growth trees as we possibly can to prevent looking like we have destroyed a lot of the indigenous growth there.”
On a business level, Nick said he wants to eventually create a site that is unique to the industry, one that sets it apart from other recreational vehicle businesses.
“Normally when people do go camping they traditionally pick up their RV at a dealership where it is concrete or pavement. It is very commercial,” said Nick. “We are offering a true camping experience where there is an actual cabin that is working with running water, a river that is going by with mature trees. There is the ability to fill up the water at their tanks, plug in electricity, just like you would at a campground.”
He said there would not be any actual camping to rent but if customers choose to use a unit overnight the business will have the ability to provide a site to test out a unit.
Nick said the next major step for the project is to construct a five-bay service building to the north of the property which would accommodate the current growing service demand.
Meanwhile, in a report to council, administration recommended to council members to approve second reading of the application, which council did following Nick's presentation.
“The job you have done is fabulous. It is a unique experience,” said Coun. Chris Vardas.
Erin O'Neill, the town's manager of planning and development, said third and final reading will be put to council after the update to the Municipal Development Plan in 2013.
