86-Acre Recreational Property with 727 Cubic Meters of Merchantable Timber – Quesnel, BC

Description

86 acres of timbered recreational land mere minutes from downtown Quesnel.  The 86 acres are considered Managed Forest Land.  The property is accessed via an easement secured through DL 906 (Easement # CA6073490).  This property offers 727 cubic meters of timber (spruce and fir) with timber cruise available.  As an additional option, this property (DL 1229) may also be purchased in conjunction with DL 906, which offers an additional 320 acres of land and additional merchantable timber (timber cruise not available).

The property has a mixture of deciduous and coniferous trees blanketing the hillside.  There are several flat build sites, which offer excellent views of the town of Quesnel.  There is the opportunity to convert the property into a large residential acreage with power available near the lot line.  A trail/roadway extends into the center of the property provided great access.  There is a drilled well on the property, paid for by the municipality, as part of the West Quesnel Land Stability Project.  The well is located near the western boundary of the property situated on a stable ridgeline.  Details on this well are presently being sought, as it may serve as a potential domestic water source for a future residence.

The property itself is extremely quiet and private despite its close proximity to town.  This makes it the perfect get away for someone who lives in the area.  The property backs on to Crown land and the Baker Creek ravine extending your recreational and exploration possibilities to thousands of acres.

LOCATION

This property is located on the western fringe of Quesnel with DL 906 forming its southern boundary and with the Baker Creek ravine lying outside the western edge of the property.

DIRECTIONS

From the east Quesnel cross over the Fraser River using the Moffat Bridge.  Once in west Quesnel turn right immediately after the Esso station heading west on Abbott Drive.  Follow Abbott Drive for just under 2 km until you reach the gate.  The gate marks the northern boundary of DL 906.  Abbott Drive continues on from here through private property.  This is the commencement of Easement # CA6073490, which provides access to DL 1229.  On foot, or quad, continue 0.6 km along Abbott Drive at which point you will arrive at a clearing.  Turn to head west following the trail for another 0.2 km.  At this point a large foundation will appear on your left.  The trail will swing north/northwest.  Proceed along this trail for another 0.3 km until you reach the southern boundary of DL 1226.

To reach the trail that enters into DL 1229, you must continue along the trail for another 0.53 km heading south and then north once again.  This roadway will take you approximately 0.6 km into the center of the property.

AREA DATA

The Cariboo Region of British Columbia has a total approximate population of 127,900.  Manufacturing, forestry, mining, oil and gas are the most prominent sources of employment through the region with manufacturing leading the way at 12% of total employment.  The Government of British Columbia has predicted regional job growth at 0.4% per annum out to 2022 at which point regional job openings will reach 30,330.

The town of Quesnel is located at the confluence of the Quesnel and Fraser Rivers.  It is the commercial center for some 23,000 residents and is serviced by diverse rail, road and air networks.  The Quesnel Airport is directly north of town and services all domestic air travel needs.

The Quesnel economy has traditionally been orientated around the timber industry.  There are numerous mills, which currently operate in the region providing stable predictable employment.  West Fraser Integrated Forest Company, one of the most prominent players in British Columbia’s timber industry, operates several corporate offices in Quesnel.  Other prominent industries in Quesnel include agriculture, mining and service/support companies for northern resource development and extraction.

VEGETATION

The property is blanketed with timber.  Poplar dominates much of the property, but there are pockets of spruce and fir with an estimated 727 cubic meters of merchantable timber.

RECREATION

The region surrounding the property is famous for its outdoor recreational opportunities. The following activities are available:

Hunting
The property sits in Management Unit 5-13 offering hunting opportunities for whitetail deer, mule deer, moose, bear and game bird species.  The property itself houses abundant wildlife particularly mule deer, moose and bear.

Snowmobiling/Off-roading
The entire region surrounding the property is famous for its snowmobiling opportunities.  There is ample annual snow fall to ensure plenty of snowmobiling opportunity.  The property itself is excellent for all manner of off-road activities.

Cross-country Skiing
The same snow, which affords excellent snowmobiling opportunity provides excellent slope and trail conditions.  What better way to explore the property and surrounding countryside than on a pair of cross-country skis.

Boating/Fishing
Some of the best trout fishing opportunities in the province are mere minutes away from the property.  Dragon Lake offers some of the best spring and fall rainbow trout fishing particularly for fly fisherman.

Hiking/Camping
With all the surrounding Crown land and nature the options for hiking and camping are endless.

Urban Recreation
With Quesnel located minutes from the property, there is plenty of urban recreational opportunities available.  There are fitness centers, pools, restaurants, bars and everything else you could possibly need.

HISTORY

The town of Quesnel was named after Simon Fraser’s clerk during his expeditions, Jules Maurice Quesnel.  The town grew as a major supply and transportation hub for the gold town of Barkerville and its surrounding gold fields.  Following the region’s gold rush, Quesnel continued to play a major role as a supply and transportation center for the exploration of Northern British Columbia.

From 1921 to 1952 Quesnel was the northern terminus of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway.  This transportation network and the rich, productive forests surrounding Quesnel led to a boom in the regional lumber industry.  In fact, by 1952, there were 180 sawmills and 5 planer mills all within a 30-mile radius of Quesnel.  This number has declined over the years, with the consolidation of the mills under the ownership of some of the larger regional companies.  The lumber industry has continued to be the primary economic driver for the region.

As time passed, upgrades were made to the town of Quesnel including paved roads, electricity, a bridge spanning the Fraser River which amalgamated west Quesnel with east Quesnel, a natural gas transmission line and the construction of the GR Baker Hospital.  All these developments permitted the town of Quesnel to gain city status in 1979.

MAP REFERENCE

52°58’27.75″N and 122°32’29.60″W

INVESTMENT FEATURES

727 cubic meters of merchantable timber (spruce/fir).

SERVICES

• Electricity near lot line
• Cell phone reception
• Drilled well – drilled by municipality of Quesnel (deciphering whether it is permissible to utilize in domestic capacity

TAXES 

$297.27 (2018)

ZONING

RA-1 (Resource/Agricultural Zone)

Uses Permitted

No person shall, within any RA 1 zone, use any lot or erect, alter or use any building or structure for any purpose except one or more of the following RA 1 uses, namely:

(a) RESIDENTIAL USES:

1. a single-family residential dwelling;
2. a two-family residential dwelling unit / duplex; or

• One (1) secondary suite and must be subordinate to a single-family residential dwelling, or

1. One (1) carriage house and must be subordinate to a single-family residential dwelling, or
2. One (1) secondary dwelling and must be subordinate to a single-family residential dwelling, or
3. a temporary dwelling unit in conjunction with a single-family residential dwelling.

(b) NON-RESIDENTIAL USES:

1. a community facility, including a community hall, fire hall, library, school, church, medical clinic or first aid station, and buildings associated with the operation and maintenance of an airplane landing strip or helicopter pad;
2. airplane landing strip or helicopter pad;

• a public use, including public utility buildings and structures;

1. parks, playgrounds and outdoor recreation facilities of a non-commercial nature;
2. a home occupation or a home industry ancillary to a permitted residential use;
3. bed and breakfast accommodations or rooming and boarding accommodations ancillary to a permitted residential use;

• museum, historic site, or cemetery;
• refuse disposal site;

1. kennel or animal hospital; Farm Retail Sales;
2. the processing of farm products may take place on the farm property provided that at least 50% of the farm product is produced on that farm;
3. portable sawmill, providing such activities are located no closer than 30 metres (98.4 ft) from an existing residential use on an adjacent or nearby property;

• agri-tourism activities, other than accommodation, on land that is classified as a farm under the Assessment Act, if the use is temporary and seasonal, and promotes or markets farm products grown, raised or processed on the farm; Quesnel Fringe Area Zoning Bylaw 102 B/L 4183
• a horse boarding center, on land that is classified as a farm under the Assessment Act, provided that the stables do not have more than 40 stalls and the facility does not contain a racetrack licensed by the British Columbia Racing Commission;
• agricultural operations, including horticulture, silviculture, livestock, intensive livestock operation, stockyard, beekeeping and aquaculture; B/L 4183
• slaughtering and butchering ancillary to a permitted residential use or agricultural operation, providing such slaughtering and butchering is limited to only those animals produced on the property, or conducted for personal consumption by the owner, provided the activity is in conformance with applicable provincial and federal legislation; B/L 4183

• livestock incineration, provided the activity is in conformance with applicable provincial and federal legislation; B/L 4240
• log sort yard, providing such activities are located no closer than 300 m (984 ft) from an existing residential use on an adjacent or nearby property; B/L 4183
• growing, tending and harvesting of trees produced on the property; B/L 4240
• portable sawmill, providing such activities are located no closer than 30 metres (98.4 ft) from an existing residential use on an adjacent or nearby property; B/L 424
• small sawmill, providing such activities, including storage areas, are located no closer than 300 metres (984 ft) from an existing residential use on an adjacent or nearby property, or if the sawmill is located in a sound proof building, may be sited so that no noise is detectable at the property boundary above ambient;

• extraction of raw materials from the land, including crushing and screening activities, but excluding any further processing activities;
• temporary construction, exploration or logging camp operated by or on behalf of a government agency or department, or by a registered company, for the temporary living accommodation of its employees, provided the method by which sewage is to be disposed of is satisfactory to the Medical Health Officer. On completion of the project concerned, the camp shall be removed and the site restored to a satisfactory condition;
• trapping and guide camps, except main lodges;
• ancillary buildings.

LEGAL

Block B of DL 1229 Cariboo District except the Easterly 20 chains

PID 011-013-281