Budget
Councillors in Gibsons were due to adopt the 2018 budget at a special meeting May 11, after giving unanimous approval through three readings at the May 8 regular meeting.
This year’s budget includes an overall tax increase of 4.5 per cent, which is expected to bring in about $128,000. Water and sewer rates and parcel taxes are all set to go up by five per cent.
Director of finance David Douglas told councillors that when regional district, school and policing taxes are included, a homeowner whose property is at the low end of the assessment range, around $300,000, will likely see an increase of about $25 on their tax bill. A property at the high end, $1.3 million, will see a tax increase of about $570.
George
The development permit covering form and character for the George Hotel and Residences project has been renewed.
A new vote of council was needed because the permit is due to expire in June, before construction is likely to begin. The other development permits, which were issued later in the approval process, are still valid.
The renewal was approved with no debate.
“I think everyone is aware that the development permits had been challenged in court and that was only recently resolved, so it’s not unexpected that the proponent hasn’t acted on the development permits,” Mayor Wayne Rowe said.
Coun. Silas White recused himself from the vote, citing a conflict of interest because of the potential impact of the project on his property.
Mobile vendors
Councillors have decided against opening up parks and other public areas to mobile vendors.
A food truck operator appeared before council in March asking it to consider allowing vendors to set up at Winegarden Park and the Town-owned parking lot beside the Gibsons Curling Club. The operator has since formally applied for permits, along with a hot dog vendor who wants to have a cart on the waterfront walkway and a fitness trainer who wants to hold sessions at Brothers Park.
In a report to council, director of parks Wendy Gilbertson recommended sticking with the existing rules, which allow vendors to set up on private property only, or on streets if they meet the criteria for a permit under the Town’s traffic and highway use bylaw.
Gilbertson said some of the considerations council should weigh include competition with existing businesses, concerns around allowing the commercial use of public parks, and competition with “non-profits who fundraise for the benefit of the community during events.”
Coun. Stafford Lumley, who’s raised concerns in the past over cannabis dispensaries, joked that he’s fine with mobile vendors “as long as it’s not a mobile weed trailer.”
White moved to reaffirm the status quo, saying, “There’s no appetite to change the bylaw.”
– Sean Eckford
