Lake Country, BC — As part of an anticipated phased development project coming to Council for consideration this month, residents of the Copper Hill/Clearwater neighbourhoods will see a long-awaited emergency exit constructed. Public safety is one of Council and staff’s top priorities.
The District of Lake Country is pleased to let residents know of an expected infrastructure project to support the next phases of development of the Copper Hill subdivision. A new construction access road is planned to facilitate development activities limiting construction traffic to the existing neighbourhood; and it will ultimately provide a valuable secondary emergency egress route for the community to address both the immediate and long-term concerns of the neighbourhood.
The new access road will extend from Sherman Road in the Copper Hill subdivision through to McCarthy Road, connecting with Bottom Wood Lake Road. While the road will serve as a controlled access point for construction vehicles and equipment, it has been designed with long-term community safety in mind and be available as an emergency egress until the road is opened permanently.
“We’ve heard the emergency egress concerns of the Copper Hill/Clearwater subdivision residents over the years and finding a solution has been our priority,” says Mayor Blair Ireland. “We’re now being presented with an opportunity to create a second access route with the final phases of development in Copper Hill. By planning for roads infrastructure in advance of an anticipated development proposal, we’re not only working to strengthen emergency response capabilities with a secondary exit route, but enabling the next stages of the Copper Hill neighbourhood to be developed.”
Key Highlights:
- Location: Road will run from Sherman Road in the Copper Hill subdivision to McCarthy Road, linking to Bottom Wood Lake Road.
- Purpose: Primary function during construction is to support vehicle access for development. Secondary function is to serve as an emergency egress route for residents. Long term function is to provide connection through to McCarthy Rd.
- Timeline: Council will consider the phased approach to the development with the initial application for a Development Variance Permit coming to Council June 17, 2025. Construction access road creation is anticipated to begin as early as this July.
- Access: Road will be restricted to construction traffic during the development period but will remain accessible to emergency services as required.
“The first part of the next phase of the Copper Hill development for Council’s consideration will be presented June 17, 2025 including a Development Variance Permit to the length of a cul-de-sac on a parcel of land north of the planned new Sherman Rd extension,” said Paul Gipps, Chief Administrative Officer. “The report included in the June 17, 2025 Council Meeting agenda package will provide more of the development proposal details of interest to the community.”
The phased development will allow the District to provide a connection through to McCarthy Rd. Once the subdivision finalizes, the District will assess opportunities to transition the road into a publicly accessible neighbourhood connection, pending further transportation planning.
Residents in the area may notice increased activity and vehicle traffic near the site during daytime hours in the coming months. Should Council advance this project, the District will provide more information to the public, work closely with the developer to ensure safety, minimize disruption to the existing neighbourhood, and maintain environmental stewardship throughout the construction process.
“Council continues to have staff seek opportunities in other Lake Country neighbourhoods to address access concerns,” emphasized Mayor Ireland. “We’re very excited to now have the prospect of moving forward with providing a second emergency exit for Copper Hill/Clearwater.”
For more information and updates, please visit www.lakecountry.bc.ca/projects or contact development@lakecounty.bc.ca.
