If a Gospel Rock zoning application moves forward, Gibsons council has provided staff with direction regarding the allocation of parkland in the block seven waterfront area.
At its Feb. 21 council meeting, councillors approved three recommendations stating that staff be directed to request parkland in the vicinity of Little Africa and the Cross Rock should a completed subdivision application be received for block seven, and that a 40-metre highway dedication be located on Gospel Rock.
Up to this point, the Town has been delaying consideration of the application while waiting for the Gospel Rock neighbourhood plan to be completed.
As the proponent has expressed a loss of faith in the planning process and has forwarded a preliminary subdivision application to the Town, a decision was needed that complements the Gospel Rock park objectives, with regards to areas valued for their sensitivity or public enjoyment.
Well number one
At the end of March, the Town will begin charging for water at 25 cents per litre from well number one. But the Town is wondering how they will communicate the cost changes to the public.
During the committee of the whole meeting Feb. 21, corporate officer Michelle Jansson provided a few ideas for council to consider including signage, messages on Facebook and the Town's website, and the development of an information bulletin that would be placed on community notice boards, in the municipal office and the municipal memo in Coast Reporter.
Those ideas also brought up thoughts about the Town's communications plan and ways the Town can communicate more effectively with its citizens.
Coun. Dan Bouman said the well number one dispenser could be a catalyst for more education around the importance of water and water conservation.
"How do you go about making people feel good about going to pump station number one and spending some money? That's the challenge," Bouman said. "Education is a big thing also. I hope we'll look at pump station number one through that lens and have better education opportunities as well."
As for a broad communications strategy, Coun. Gerry Tretick suggested that an ad-hoc working committee of community members, council and staff be created that would help make recommendations back to council for discussion.
"This is an opportunity to pull together people from the community who have skills in communications and can give us ideas on communications. Whether that is an idea that is acceptable, I don't know, but I think that is a good starting point," he said.
After further discussion, council approved a recommendation that staff prepare terms of reference to form a communications group for consideration of council.
Once that comes back to council, council will decide how to proceed further in creating the committee.
Housing guidelines
Thanks to the District of Sechelt, the Town of Gibsons has a copy of accessible and adaptable housing guidelines that will now be available on the Town's website and at municipal hall.
Staff will now be able to provide copies of the guidelines to anyone seeking to develop property in the Town. The guidelines were provided to the Town by the District and their consultant.
"These are not mandatory requirements, but it helps to encourage developers to look at that type of accessible and adaptable housing in their developments," said Mayor Wayne Rowe.
