The Town of Gibsons will be undertaking a review of building practices on steep slopes after hearing from a group of concerned Abbs Road residents at the Oct. 6 council meeting.
The concerned residents gave a detailed presentation to council outlining issues caused by water seeping from containment systems, running down driveways and spilling onto trails.
"Be assured, we are here not to point fingers, to create problems, or to provoke confrontation," said Abbs Road resident Art Olson, who appeared with fellow Abbs Road resident Bob Boileau. "Rather, we are here in the spirit of presenting factual illustrations and observations regarding storm water management in general, which is of concern to residents living between O'Shea and South Fletcher, some of whom are here in the gallery."
In their presentation, Olson and Boileau then outlined their concerns.
"On the hillside slope from O'Shea to South Fletcher, the Town's presently required method for water retention on each building lot will not prevent drainage from escaping and causing property damage to existing downhill properties," Olson said.
"This restriction in no way implies that there are no other concerns about storm water run-off and erosion. In fact, there are many such concerns, particularly along the walkway path between O'Shea and South Fletcher."
Following a visual display from Boileau, the delegation asked that council have a fully qualified geo-technical engineer who specializes in hydrology retained to re-evaluate site by site the use of the present method of water retention within each site, and to certify that method will indeed protect downhill properties from potential damage from drainage run-off, or if not, an alternative that will protect against such damage.
Council voted to send the matter to the infrastructure committee so a more in-depth discussion could take place. That committee will then make a recommendation to council on how to proceed further. The matter will go to committee later in the month and hopefully back to council in early November.
