Parkland plan changes
The plan for the next phase of the Parkland subdivision in upper Gibsons is changing.
Council heard June 9 that for Phase 3, Reed Road Development wants to rezone the remaining portion of the two properties on Payne Road from single-family residential and two-family residential zone 3 (R-3) to small lot cottage residential (RCL) and parks, recreation and open space zone (PRO). That part of the development is in the southwest corner, near the Parkland Reservoir. In all, 25 new lots are being created.
Planner Andre Boel told council that an area of greenbelt that was in the concept plan has been removed, and director of engineering Dave Newman said they’re also changing the storm water systems. “There is a pond currently on that site, and that was intended as a temporary storm water detention area,” Newman said. “The plan at the time was that a pipe would go out to the east and eventually make its way over to North Road and down School Road.”
According to Newman, that would cost about $4 million, so the Town and the developer are now looking at alternatives that include making the pond permanent and shifting it closer to the reservoir, and creating a natural storm water course.
The developer is also offering a $60,000 affordable housing contribution.
The zoning amendment was given first reading, and a public hearing was set for July 5 at 6:45 p.m. at Town Hall.
Mayor Wayne Rowe told the Parkland residents who’d turned up to the meeting eager to make comments that they should wait for that hearing.
Open the Doors
Capilano University’s Faculty Association took its “Open the Doors” message to Gibsons council recently. The campaign was launched earlier this year, in conjunction with the Federation of Post Sec-ondary Educators of B.C.
Sandy Middleton, the literacy outreach coordinator at Cap-U’s Sunshine Coast campus, and Becky Wayte, conveyor of adult basic education, appeared at Gibsons council’s committee of the whole May 17.
Middleton told councillors that adult basic education (ABE) has been delivered since the Sunshine Coast campus was established and is “the heart of our program, and indeed the heart of our campus.”
But, Cap-U’s Faculty Association fears changes to the program that offers English, math, science and computing, are hurting adults who need new skills to go on to post-secondary education or to get a job.
In 2015 the provincial government gave post-secondary institutions the option of charging tuition fees for ABE. Middleton and Wayte said there’s a direct connection between Cap-U’s decision to charge tuition and a drop in enrolment.
Faculty Association president Brent Calvert made a similar presentation for Sechelt council last December, and claimed the drop in enrolment could even threaten the long-term viability of the campus. He said at the time that it was one of the factors in the downsizing of the Squamish campus.
The association wanted council to write the province urging it to return to tuition-free ABE. Coun. Silas White also indicated he’d been willing to support a resolution along those lines being put forward by North Vancouver at the upcoming Union of BC Municipalities AGM.
Faculty Association representatives also presented at the June 9 Sunshine Coast Regional District community services committee meeting, where directors voted in favour of sending a letter of support.
GPAG
Gibsons Public Art Gallery (GPAG) president Stewart Stinson also spoke at the May 17 committee meeting. He said he wanted to give councillors some background information on the gallery and its operations to help them with future decisions.
Stinson said many people mistakenly think GPAG is directly connected with the Town because the word “public” is part of the name, but they are, in fact, a volunteer-run registered charity. GPAG does, however, get grants and property tax concessions from the Town.
“Art is the mandate of the gallery. It’s to operate a public art gallery for the community in perpetuity to promote public interest in art, and education, and encourage those engaged in art practices,” he said, adding that free admission is a key aspect of the gallery.
Stinson said a direct benefit the Town gets through its support is a “local attraction with content that is always new and changing.”
He also told councillors that there are challenges on the horizon as the facility copes with things like aging computers, and they’re hoping to start bringing in more funding from the BC Arts Council and Canada Council. The key to getting that, according to Stinson, is to have a track record of successful projects. “In order to attract this type of funding, we need to have a couple of projects under our belt first. Once we’re approved for specific projects, and we have two successful projects, then they’re open to giving us routine operational funding.”
Stinson said GPAG is taking this summer off from the Art Stroll in the Landing, and in 2017 they’ll be looking to host a different type of community-wide event.
Mayor Wayne Rowe said he’s impressed with what he’s seen since GPAG’s early days in a small space in Molly’s Lane. “I feel like you’re starting to reach another level,” Rowe added. “We do fully recognize the draw that the art gallery provides.”
