Sechelt council has decided to defer a decision on whether to allow a new subdivision along Sechelt Inlet Road to hook up to the sewer system.
Omni Development's proposal for a 32-lot, single-family development between the Blue Heron Restaurant and Choquer's Machine Shop on Sechelt Inlet Road met with criticism by councillors at Tuesday's planning committee meeting.
Coun. Keith Thirkell said he didn't feel the single-family development best suited the site that he wanted to see preserved for some public access to the waterfront.
"I don't think that waterfront property in Sechelt is best served by 32 high-end homes," he said.
Other councillors shared his opinion, but Mayor Cam Reid noted the rezoning of the property was not before the committee, simply the developer's request to tie into the sewer system.
Some felt it was unfair for the new development to be allowed to hook up as other areas of Sechelt have been paying into the sewer service for years and are yet to be connected themselves.
The issue of sewer capacity was also raised and it was noted that the site was already given assurances by a former council that hook up was possible.
"I was on council when we actually agreed with the former owner to hook up to the treatment plant as well as looking at the community package plants, but my fear is these could become a liability for the District of Sechelt. We have a sewer trunk line right by the property that is high pressure. We're looking for funding to expand the plant. I would hate to see the development go ahead and put in a package plant when the main line is right by there and in a year from now they're asking why we didn't let them hook up," said Reid.
In the end councillors present agreed to put off making a decision on whether to allow hook up to the sewer system until May of this year when there should be greater certainty about the construction of a new treatment plant.
Currently the District is in the process of submitting an application to the Ministry of Environment for funding the new treatment plant.
WakefieldAt Wednesday's council meeting, council rescinded second and third readings on the Wakefield development, sending it back to public hearing sometime next month.
Municipal clerk Joni Heinrich noted there have been community concerns surrounding the inclusion of a liquor licence with the bistro portion of the plan and that there have been rumours circulating in the community.
In their recommendation to council, staff noted council should have another public hearing "to put to rest some of those rumours."
