At its March 19 community services committee meeting, Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) directors decided to set up a port-a-potty near the Cedar Grove Elementary School playground to address concerns of parents and park users until a more permanent solution can be found.
Directors also asked staff to report back at a later date with options for a permanent washroom facility in the area, including estimated cost and partnering possibilities.
The motions were made after directors read a staff report outlining the public’s desire for washroom facilities in the area and a 242-signature petition asking the SCRD to act was accepted.
Directors were advised by staff that this year’s parks budget could absorb the cost of installing a port-a-potty and servicing it for the year, estimated at about $1,500.
“I think it makes sense to get the portable out there as soon as we can to see how that works,” said Gibsons director Silas White, who is also the community services committee chair.
All were in favour of setting up the portable washroom as soon as possible and looking at a permanent facility for the area in the future.
Marijuana bylaw
Directors asked staff to prepare a report on a possible bylaw to regulate marijuana dispensaries to come back to a future community services committee for discussion.
The motion came out of the March 2 policing committee minutes which noted the Sunshine Coast RCMP thought “it would be easier and less costly to enforce a bylaw rather than do a police investigation” into new marijuana dispensaries setting up on the Coast.
“A bylaw violation is clear cut and easier to prove in court,” the meeting minutes stated, adding “Surrey and North Vancouver have bylaws disallowing marijuana businesses.”
Bike route
Directors asked for a staff report on how they can assist the advancement of a Coastal Bike Route pitched by Joe Vechter at the March 19 community services committee.
Vechter is a director with the Transportation Choices Sunshine Coast (TraC) group and he noted the Coastal Bike Route, which would link the Langdale and Earls Cove ferries, has been a dream on the Coast for “probably 18 or 19 years.”
TraC is now trying to make that dream a reality in cooperation with the Gibsons and District Chamber of Commerce.
SCRD directors seemed supportive of the idea and wanted to discuss the regional district’s potential involvement.
A staff report with options for involvement will be presented at a future meeting.
