Earlier this month, Parastone — a locally owned construction and development company — announced they would be developing a substantial portion of the 660 acre parcel of land one kilometer from Fernie’s historic downtown.
Naming the residential community Montane, the project, once completed, will be Fernie’s largest property development to date.
“We are very excited about this acquisition and to unveil the community’s new name,” general manager of Parastone Simon Howse said in a press release on July 11. “Montane references the defining experiences and features of mountain living and perfectly symbolizes our vision for this incredible piece of land."
The project did however raise concern over the relocation of hydro lines.
Those concerns were addressed during an information session at the Seniors’ Drop In Centre on July 2.
The previous developer requested that BC Hydro and the city of Fernie relocate the hydro lines along Coal Creek Rd.
When Parastone took over the development, they made an agreement with BC Hydro that any vegetation not interfering with the newly located power lines would be left in its natural state.
“We understand we are already cutting through a swathe of forest and we didn’t want to compromise the natural beauty of the area,” Howse said in a media statement. “That beauty is what is so alluring about this place.”
Parastone expects the relocated power lines to be completed by August.
For more information on the development, visit www.montanefernie.ca.