An interview with property owner Catherine Egan
What initially attracted you to the Forbidden Plateau property?
The attraction was the rugged beauty of the area, the surrounding lush green raincoast forest, the mountain air, and the meandering creek which flows through the northwest corner of the property.
The property had been logged in the mid 70s, and it still showed some evidence of this when we purchased it in 1990.
A network of old logging roads crisscrossed the property and it was a great adventure back then to trek though the back forty.
This area seems to be a very special place. What gives it that "feel"?
There’s something mystical about this place - especially after one of our westcoast rain showers. When the mist is hanging a few feet above the ground, the wet salal and fern leaves are glistening in the filtered sunlight, and there's not a sound to be heard – it's a very peaceful feeling.
We have a number of old growth stumps now covered in different kinds of moss, dating back to the first cut in the late 1800s. And you can still see the slits carved into the trunks for the springboards the men used to stand on - so they could saw these enormous trees by hand.
Much of this coast’s history comes from the land. And we have several great examples here on the property. If those trunks could talk they could probably tell a few interesting stories.
What are you most proud of when
it comes to Mountain Spirit Garden Estates?
We had a small window of opportunity last year in which to submit our subdivision application to the Regional District. And at the time we were not sure if our application would be approved.
However, we had a great team of people like Chris Kutyn of Kutyn Properties, Ken Bond of Gaia Environmental, Steve Carballeira at H20 Environmental, our engineer Bon Thorburn, Andrea Rowe of Swift Datoo, Eric Hoerburger and several others - lead by Dan Bown our project manager.
They all helped to pull together the necessary reports, studies, surveys, filings and documentation required before our application deadline expired.
We were fortunately successful in completing everything on time. And in the process of creating Mountain Spirit Garden Estates, along with establishing an unprecedented number of environmental covenants, we have also preserved for generations to come - a 6.5 acre public park and park corridor that will link a key network of trails together.
What makes Mountain Spirit Garden Estates an outstanding real estate investment?
There are increasingly fewer rural properties now being developed in the Valley as a result of changes in the District bylaws. Our project is one of last small developments of this kind in our local area.
For those looking for a quiet oasis surrounded by private woodland park with
protective covenants that are quite distinct - and a location that is still close to a vibrant city life and culture, with easy access to both domestic and international air flights - as well as only a minutes from some great outdoor activities - then this place has it all!
Vision
Inspired by the surrounding beauty of Forbidden Plateau our mission is to create a unique community for homeowners that preserves and celebrates the spirit of the land.
A vision for a community
Catherine Egan - President
Mountain Spirit Garden Estates & Development Ltd.
With roots in the Maritimes, and a childhood growing up in Quebec City, Catherine has always had an affinity for the coast, the mountains, the snow, and the outdoors.
In 1990 Catherine moved from Ottawa to the west coast and fell in love with the Comox Valley, and the little known area of Forbidden Plateau – an extraordinary place cradled between the mountains and the ocean.
Now 18 years later, she has an opportunity to share this experience with a few others - living in one of BC’s most idyllic spots. In a location surrounded by park, with hiking and biking trails, and the Browns and Puntledge Rivers only a few minutes away.
It is an exciting time for Catherine, her partner Jeremy, and their project team, as they work towards creating a community for a few select homeowners that preserves and celebrates the spirit
of the land.
Mountain Spirit Garden Estates offers
those seeking the quiet, rural, outdoor lifestyle a place to call home.