Councillors in Gibsons faced a small crowd of demonstrators May 17, ahead of their vote on a key development permit (DP) application for the George Hotel and Residences.
Council approved the Official Community Plan (OCP) and zoning changes for the proposed waterfront hotel, retail and residential complex on Oct. 6, 2015.
Tuesday night a DP for “form and character” – the design and look of the buildings – was up for approval.
The 30 or so protesters carried signs reading “No Consultation, No Permit,” “Listen to the Community – It’s a Quaint Seaside Village,” and “Settle Winn Road First.” There were also a lot of “I Support the George” buttons in evidence.
Suzanne Senger, who ran against incumbent mayor Wayne Rowe in the last municipal election, carried a sign that said “This is Why Suzanne Senger Ran for Mayor!” She also represents the Gibsons Alliance of Business and Community, which was one of three groups involved in the protest. The others were the Gibsons Waterfront Defence Association and Friends of the Harbour.
Heading into the council meeting, Senger told Coast Reporter that Winn Road was the key issue that sparked the protest.
“The Town failed to consult that public on the disposition of Winn Road through the George rezoning process, and that needs to be resolved prior to the issuance of a development permit,” Senger said. “The Town seems to be trying to side-step that process and issue a permit first.”
Resident Marcia Timbres, backed by Friends of the Harbour, filed an injunction request in March over the potential transfer of the lower part of Winn to the developer. It claims the Town hasn’t followed the Community Charter when it comes to consultation on disposition of Town land.
In a lengthy report to council, planning staff said the George project now ticks all the right boxes to meet council’s wishes on things like building scale and massing, view protection and corridors, public spaces, and the overall look of the finished buildings.
A significant change from earlier versions of the design is a different type of roof parapet that is supposed to reduce the impact of the roofline on the view from upslope properties.
Council authorized the DP with little debate, although Coun. Jeremey Valeriote called the minor changes in the architecture “appreciated,” and Coun. Charlene SanJenko noted, “We’ve been in this process for quite a long time. There’s nothing in this report that differs from prior things that we’ve reviewed.”
The final vote provoked a few cries of “Shame!” and “Banana Republic!” from some in the public gallery.
Senger tried to raise the Winn Road question during the public inquiries session, asking why the property transfer isn’t considered part of the form and character of the development when the plan is to use it for a centre-piece plaza and walkway.
Chief administrative officer Emanuel Machado met the question by telling the meeting, “This matter is before the courts and it would not be appropriate to comment at this time.”
The form and character DP is one of five the developer will need to get before construction can begin. The others cover geotechnical hazards, environmentally sensitive areas, and the aquifer.
Negotiations continue between the Town and the developer on community amenities, including $100,000 for work on Winegarden Park, and on the transfer of the lower portion of Winn Road.
