Sechelt council decided to allow the Sechelt Seniors Centre to expand without enforcing its bylaw that stipulates more onsite parking be provided.
Currently the seniors centre on Trail Avenue has 51 parking stalls while the bylaw calls for 90.
Although the centre has been grandfathered in and allowed to keep the substandard number of parking stalls to date, it wants to expand in the future and had to approach council to ask for a formal parking variance to allow the expansion to go forward, without triggering the need for more parking.
The centre wants to expand the area near the front of the building by about 18 feet (5.5 metres) to provide a dedicated dining area, larger kitchen and a more functional administration area.
The expansion would take up some of the existing parking area and the centre asked council to allow them to provide just 42 parking stalls, three scooter stalls, eight bicycle stalls, one bus stall and a loading space.
The centre said it was able to share parking spaces with the nearby Capilano University and the Arts Centre during events, making a case for the parking reduction.
While staff recommended council deny the request, council passed it unanimously on Aug. 2 without discussion.
At a previous planning and community development meeting, councillors noted the parking proposed by the centre was insufficient but added that growth of the centre was generally supported. Council also discussed looking for cash in lieu from developers in the future to be able to purchase and create a dedicated parking lot in downtown Sechelt.
