An application for a massive dock and two breakwaters in Middlepoint by Lululemon founder Dennis (Chip) Wilson and his wife Shannon is coming back for more comment after a paperwork mishap.
Originally the application came to the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) from the province for comment last month. At that time directors voiced their disapproval of the proposed 232.1 metre squared (2498 square foot) dock with two 288.6 metre squared (3106.5 square foot) breakwaters.
The SCRD filed their comments with the province by the Jan. 30 deadline; however, this week, the regional district was told that the proposal would be coming back for comment again.
“I just spoke with the land officer working on the file with the province and he advised me that an amended referral will be coming our way with another 30-day comment period,” said SCRD planning technician Lesley-Ann Staats in an email to Coast Reporter on Monday.
“There was an error in the original referral with the tenure type (i.e., application said it was for specific permission, but the new referral will be for a termed lease). This should be coming in later this week.”
Greig Bethel, public affairs officer with the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, said the proposal is “being re-referred to local First Nations for additional consultations as per the Ministry’s private moorage policy,” as well.
The Ministry will also seek more information from the proponent “based on responses received from the original referrals, as well as comments from the public,” Bethel said.
He noted the process was consistent with how other large dock applications have been handled in the past.
Coast Reporter made repeated attempts to connect with Wilson for an interview about the proposal and his plans, but was unable to do so before Coast Reporter’s press deadline Wednesday afternoon.
