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Gibsons neighbourhood opposed to housing project

Eagleview

Residents of the Eagleview area in Gibsons have formed the Eagleview Neighbours Association to fight a proposed development on Eaglecrest Drive.

The property, at 464 Eaglecrest near Inglis Road, was sold late last year, and representatives of TC Development Group appeared before Gibsons council’s committee of the whole in February to give a brief overview of their plan. It involves two five-storey blocks, as well as other units built on the property’s two natural benches.

At that meeting, architect Tim Ankeman told the committee the developers felt the concept fit the goals of the Official Community Plan and that they are considering an affordable housing component in cooperation with the Sunshine Coast Housing Society that could be at least eight to 10 units. He also said the company is looking at other sites around Gibsons that might be suitable for a rental project.

They also held a public open house in early March, but the opposition to the project has only recently started to coalesce.

Letters to Mayor Wayne Rowe and councillors copied to Coast Reporter outline objections that include the potential impact of tall buildings to the neighbourhood’s viewscapes and the extra traffic generated by adding 100 condominium units to an area currently zoned for around 23 single family homes.

The association’s newly created website says the development is “not compatible with the character of our long established single-family neighbourhood, nor with the character of the Town of Gibsons. We do not want high-rise developments looming over the village.”

The association also said more than 100 people attended a July 7 meeting to discuss the development, and it’s now encouraging people to come out to the July 26 special meeting of Gibsons council when the project will be on the agenda. The meeting, on a Wednesday instead of the usual Tuesday, will be the last before council’s August break.