The following is a Q&A that was distributed to all District of Sechelt candidates.
Candidate name
Dianne McLauchlan
Age
62
Occupation (s)
Urban planner and real estate appraiser
Which position are you running for?
Councillor
Live in Sechelt? For how long?
Since 2014
If not incumbent, list related municipal committee / civic group experience.
Across the table as a planner etc. for over 40 years.
What are your priorities if elected?
My priorities are to obtain a long-term water solution, to put the needs of residents first, make resilience plans (climate change) and provide honest government
Should Sechelt facilitate creation of more affordable housing? How?
Use land use zoning to discourage demolition and evictions. Have commitment to have new suites and accessory buildings stay small with a commitment to rent at below market for 10 years. Identify trailer park sites for RVs maybe tinyhomes.
Should Sechelt prepare for climate change? If so how?
Yes. Planners to update neighbourhood plans with emergency preparedness taking into account sea rise. See what ideas their members can support. Review infrastructure and integrate asset management. Then OCP update.
Is Sechelt managing growth appropriately?
No. The cart is before the horse. What is the existing sewer capacity? It will flood around 2030 as SCRD says. Will we have water to drink with the housing approvals in place? We cannot rely on any expansions.
How would you balance pushback on development with need for housing?
With so much development and construction we have lots of trades people coming to live here to build. They will leave when building stalls opening up rentals. Frantic growth of single family homes does not provide affordable housing anyway.
What is the greatest infrastructure challenge facing Sechelt?
Water supply from/with SCRD. Langdale well is 3 years away. With no water there is no flushing of toilets and so no viable sewage system. Then no tourism, etc.
What do you wish we'd asked you?
Do you think the current council is fairly developing and presenting the Proposed Zoning Bylaw 580? Where you recruited to run by John Henderson?
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Who else is running for Sechelt council? See profiles for Warren Allan, Micky Argiropoulos, Donna Bell, Thomas Bramble, Cheryl Chang, Anna Jade Chen, Tim Horner, Darren Inkster, Christopher Moore, Brenda Rowe, Adam Shepherd and Alton Toth. See mayoral candidate profiles for John Henderson, Allan Holt, Jeri Patterson and Darnelda Siegers.
