Gibsons council has taken a key step toward enabling a new 78-unit rental housing development on municipal land next to Christenson Village.
Council approved first and second readings of zoning and Official Community Plan (OCP) amendments for at 901 and 917 O’Shea Road at its June 25 special meeting of council.
The proposed six-storey apartment building, known as Phase 3 of the Christenson Lands project (formerly and informally known as the Shaw Road project), would be developed in partnership with the Kiwanis Housing Society and BC Housing.
It includes a mix of 22 seniors’ units and 56 non-age-restricted units, with affordability levels ranging from deeply subsidized to near-market rents.
To proceed, the town must amend its OCP to allow “not-for-profit rental housing” within the Public/Community Uses land use designation.
The zoning amendment would also increase the allowable building height to 22 metres, raise the total unit cap across all three phases to 160, and reduce parking requirements.
A 10 per cent park dedication and a 10-metre tree buffer are proposed along the western edge of the site, adjacent to White Tower Park.
Trevor Rutley, director of infrastructure services, emphasized the importance of preserving the forested boundary, noting that “the intention would be to retain the trees that are there,” while also addressing fire safety concerns through forest management.
Council members raised questions about tree retention, parking, and the potential for green infrastructure.
Coun. David Croal suggested exploring solar panels over parking areas as a way to offset tree loss, saying it would add a green initiative to the project.
Staff and the developer responded that while solar is not currently included, the building will be “solar ready.”
The project is being fast-tracked to meet BC Housing’s funding deadlines. “I’m really excited that we are meeting this timeline,” said Mayor Silas White, citing uncertainty about future funding availability.
A public hearing is expected in mid-July, after which council will consider third reading of the bylaws.
Jordan Copp is Coast Reporter’s civic and Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
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