Editor:
Regarding the proposed George Hotel construction,I will state upfront that I am one of the Gibsons residents who stand to lose a portion of my view. However, I am not a NIMBY.
I do support the economic benefits of this project. What I strongly object to is the disproportionate scale of the project to the rest of the neighbourhood.
The first goal of the current Gibsons official community plan and Harbour area plan, adopted by this council, is to "retain the scale and character of the harbour area," and specifically calls for low building heights. This project is twice as high as any other building in Gibsons.
The Harbour area plan is a consensus-based document, and to disregard it is a slap in the face of the countless volunteer hours that went into its development. Ignoring the OCP is exactly the kind of action that breeds the cynicism and voter apathy that municipalities continually struggle with.
Today it is my view at risk, but without respect for the OCP, tomorrow it may be yours.
Kylie Hutchinson,
Gibsons
