Stockwell Sand and Gravel's plan to run a concrete batch plant in East Porpoise bay was forwarded to a public information meeting at the Feb. 1 Sechelt council meeting.
The company wants to erect a batch plant to be used in conjunction with their sand and gravel pit, which is accessed from Allen Road and Yew Road.
They are asking for a three-year temporary use permit for the operation. The proposal includes measures to minimize noise and other negative impacts.
There will be a public information meeting about the temporary use permit application by Stockwell Sand and Gravel on Wed-nesday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. in the community meeting room at municipal hall.
Mayor John Henderson and Coun. Mike Shanks excused themselves from the discussion and vote on this item Wednesday night, citing perceived bias on the application.
Housing money
Council approved a $9,000 grant for the Coast Housing Society to develop a proposal for a 30-unit rental housing project. The grant will be funded by developer contributions set aside for affordable housing in Sechelt.
Night work
The night work planned for Jan. 30 to Feb. 3 at Teredo Street and Inlet Avenue has been rescheduled to Feb. 13 to 17. Developers with the Watermark project said there was a problem getting materials delivered in time for the previous dates. They will be tearing up the roadway at the intersection to install underground sewer and electrical infrastructure for the Watermark project.
Development
A zoning amendment bylaw that has been sitting at third reading since 2008 was given fourth and final reading Wednesday night, allowing the Emerson cluster housing development to be built.
The 50-unit clustered residential development between Tower Road and Emerson Road can commence once it meets three conditions set forth by council. The development must have an archaeology impact assessment done, guarantee five units of affordable housing and provide a servicing agreement to the District.
When Coun. Darnelda Siegers asked why the application had been dormant for so long, director of planning Ray Parfitt cited market concerns.
Biodiversity project
Biodiversity project co-ordinator Cynthia Bendickson provided councillors with an update on the progress made to date.
She said her group is working on a coffee table book, building new biodiversity parks, collecting valuable data and enhancing public outreach.
A biodiversity park has been set up at the Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden in West Sechelt, and Bendickson said another is planned for Gibsons.
She said she would be willing to give presentations on the project to anyone who's interested. She can be contacted at [email protected].
