The president of Greenlane Homes says the company is committed to moving ahead with the development of Block 7 at Gospel Rock in Gibsons with an eye to creating “a great neighbourhood in keeping with the principles and directions” of the Gospel Rock Neighbourhood Plan.
Ji Yongqiang made the comments in a letter, copied to Coast Reporter, responding to a plea from the For the Love of Gospel Rock Society to leave the land undeveloped and give the community a chance to raise the money to buy it and set it aside as a park.
The society said it was “committed to raising the money to purchase your land if you give us a written consent” and urged Ji to become “an honoured community leader” by helping the group protect Block 7 in perpetuity and to look at other, “less ecologically significant areas in Gibsons, and on the Sunshine Coast, where you could build your Green Village.”
In his response, which was also addressed to Gibsons council, Ji says, “We appreciate your passion as it relates to the creation of a park at Gospel Rock. Our approach has been to work with our consultants to engage your group and others to explore the best way to create a great neighbourhood while also making a great park and protected area for generations to come. Our approach seeks to make improvements for public access to these beloved community destinations, develop added protections and stewardship agreements for sensitive areas and dedicate nearly half of our land outright. We see this as a serious and compelling proposal.”
Ji also says his company is aware that developing the property will be costly, but “the right kind of development – to support a small village, market rental housing and a significant park for public use – will prove its worth to the community.”
Greenlane recently filed its rezoning application for Block 7 and confirmed the purchase of the adjacent property known as Block 6, which was on the market for just under $2.4 million. Block 6 is not included in the rezoning application.
Council is expected to discuss a staff report on the rezoning later this month.
