A special Gibsons council meeting was held on July 28 before council’s August break – and the George Hotel and Residences project took centre stage at the meeting.
“I think that this project, now, is really at a stage where it has to be determined by elected officials, and not put off to other people who are volunteers,” Mayor Wayne Rowe said after resident Scott Russell, appearing as a delegation, suggested council solicit more public feedback on the project.
“I think that we have to shoulder whatever decisions are ultimately made,” Rowe said.
Council endorsed the design changes that were made in response to the geotechnical review for inclusion in the form and character development permit.
The elevation between Gower Point Road and the hotel’s plaza is now just over two metres (seven feet), director of planning André Boel reported.
“It means that standing on Gower Point Road, you can look at the stairs leading up to the plaza – there’s also a ramp – and you can still see the background, the mountains and Keats Island,” Boel said. “Depending on your height, you wouldn’t necessarily see the water.”
This was a design change trade-off resulting from protection of the aquifer.
“Some of these changes fit with the guidelines, except maybe for the elevation of the plaza where we have somewhat of a reduced transparency towards the ocean,” Boel said.
Another design change was made to the restaurant, which is proposed to be located on a pier over the water. Due to foreseen sea level rise over the next 50 years, the restaurant has to be built 1.3 metres higher than previously proposed.
The sea level is expected to rise by about half a metre by 2065.
Second reading was given to the Official Community Plan amendment and zoning amendment bylaws. Before they can go to third reading, Town staff will need to report back to council on the potential for land uses other than hotel units in the zoning bylaw definition for tourist accommodations.
That stipulation came after Coun. Jeremy Valeriote raised a concern that the hotel zoning amendment could open a loophole for unwanted time-shares on the Gibsons waterfront.
Council is expected to set a date for a public information meeting followed by a public hearing on the George Hotel and Residences project as early as late September.
