Gibsons council moved forward two housing projects at its committee of the whole and regular council meetings Tuesday night.
The first project is a 28-unit townhouse development on Park Road put forward by Sunbelt Properties.
At the May 21 committee of the whole meeting, council gave first and second reading to official community plan (OCP) bylaws, but a public hearing date was not set pending clarification of the affordable housing and community amenities components for the rezoning of the property.
At the June 4 committee of the whole meeting, director of planning Andre Boel said discussions have taken place with the applicant to look at several options to improve community amenities along Park Road.
"The proposal includes three price restricted affordable housing units priced at or below $241,000 and the construction of a missing pedestrian link on Park Road in front of Calvary Church," Boel said. "The price point of the affordable housing units meets current affordability requirements. The proposed pedestrian link improves public safety along a designated pedestrian corridor from the OCP. Staff feels there is an appropriate package on the table from the developer, and we are recommending that council approve moving forward with this."
A public hearing date of June 18 at 5:30 p.m. at municipal hall was set to consider public comment on the project.
The second housing project is a four-storey commercial/residential development on Gibsons Way next to PetroCan put forward by Leeon Projects Ltd.
The proposal was not supported by council at their May 7 meeting, because there was only one affordable housing unit in the plan. The proposal was brought back for a further discussion at the May 28 committee of the whole meeting following a letter from Leeon Projects. Staff met with the applicant and came back to council with a report on June 4.
"Leeon Projects has applied for rezoning and a development permit," Boel said. "With regards to community amenities and affordable housing, the proposal now includes two price restricted affordable units priced below $241,000 and the inclusion of community amenities in the frontage of the development. The price point of the affordable housing units meets current affordability requirements and the proposed amenities improve the overall quality of the development."
Council endorsed the project in principle while requesting staff work with the applicant on further details and to bring back a housing agreement and bylaw for consideration after completion of the rezoning process.
"I'd just like to thank the members of council for going through this process," said Coun. Dan Bouman. "The discussion was maybe a little testy at times, but I feel this will be a great project, be highly successful and contribute to the Town."
