The Town of Gibsons will be fining the owner of Block 7 $900 for damaging protected trees in the area.
In a March 22 memo to council, infrastructure services director Dave Newman described the Tree Preservation Bylaw infractions, which occurred earlier this winter.
According to the memo, Gibsons staff met Taurus Consulting last November to review project next steps and advised Taurus that, “prior to any tree cutting in Development Permit Areas, a tree cutting permit notice would be issued for posting on site, conveying to the public that the trees were being removed with the Town’s knowledge and permission, and that Diamond Head Consulting Ltd. (DHC) must be on site in accordance with Development Permit 2019‐08 Environmental (DP-2019-08).”
In December they met again, this time with Diamond Head Consulting to develop a plan for the remaining tree cutting, said the memo, but tree cutting had already started without the presence of Diamond Head, “and without a confirmation of the trees to be cut or the relevant tree cutting permit being posted on site.”
Because of that, the town issued a stop work order.
At another site visit in January Diamond Head confirmed three trees in the Environmental Sensitive Area (ESA) were damaged, though “no trees within the ESA or planned park had been removed.”
As a result of that damage, the town will be issuing a $900 fine, said the memo.
Additionally, tree removal is prohibited until the stop work order has been lifted, further tree cutting at Block 7 will require a permit, including in Development Permit Area 1 and 2, Diamond Head must be consulted prior to cutting and will “determine trees in conflict with proposed infrastructure that require removal, and retention requirements for trees that can be retained.” Further, additional development permit requirements can only proceed if under supervision of Diamond Head.
The memo said the staff are meeting with “the Gospel Rock team” every two weeks and have conveyed to the developer that Gibsons council “would appreciate an update directly from the developer or their delegate which Greenlane Homes have committed to doing.”
Staff are expected to report back to council with a date for a meeting once confirmed.
