Editor:
There will be a public hearing on June 13 at Coopers Green at 7 p.m. that all Coast residents committed to the vision of keeping our regional district "rural by nature" should attend. This hearing will consider an application for official community plan (OCP) and zoning amendments that would allow a subdivision in the Halfmoon Bay area that could set a precedent for all rural areas.
Nine of 14 immediate neighbours of this development oppose or have concerns about the proposal, yet the Sunshine Coast Regional District is proceeding.
For almost a year we have been attempting to draw the attention of the SCRD planning committee to the community, environmental and future development implications of this irregular subdivision. If this project moves forward, there are at least two dozen lots in the Wood Bay/Secret Cove area that will potentially be entitled to similar consideration.
If approved, this project could set a precedent. As Coast citizens, is this what we want? Many in the community have been working hard to develop our new OCP, and to make it a document which gives careful thought to conserving the special nature of our Sunshine Coast region. If we are going to consider greater density, shouldn't developers fairly return tangible shared benefits - improved beach access, public road access, funds for park creation and/or development, for instance? This scheme offers nothing except profit to the current owner at the expense of their neighbours.
We are concerned by the SCRD's possibly new laissez-faire attitude to development, and believe other Sunshine Coast residents will be as well. This approach could substantively alter the very nature of our special community.
Shouldn't serious changes involve the whole community, not simply the few?
The Fockler family, the Parmiters, Lauren Taylor, Grace Taylor and Barb Hately, Halfmoon Bay
