There was no lack of passion at the April 6 Gospel Rock draft neighbourhood plan public information meeting, as more than 300 people packed the gym at Elphinstone Secondary School to have their say.
Attendees were given an informational survey to fill out when they walked in the door. Matters of multiple interests, community amenities, environmentally sensitive areas, road access and waterfront lands were listed on the survey, which also acted as an overview of the topics to be covered.
Michael Rosen, planning consultant for the Town of Gibsons, started the meeting by exemplifying the importance of having a plan, something to work towards and set goals around. He then explained he would discusswhat he referred to as the draft plan's four big categories, the same ones listed on the survey.
Rosen quickly and precisely outlined the fact the plan is not definitive nor is it "etched in stone."
While walking the audience through the survey, Rosen asked the crowd, as they filled out their answers, to put themselves in the shoes of the Town. He reminded everyone of the dilemmas the Town has faced while assembling the draft plan, particularly with land use decisions, including the much-debated and challenging issue of road access.
Rosen also discussed key beneficial features of the draft plan, including 47 per cent of the land being kept as parks and open space, 70 per cent of waterfront land being secured in public ownership and the designation of two wildlife corridors. Throughout, Rosen reiterated the word compromise several times and tried to stress the plan to the audience as a "balancing act."
Closing his presentation, Rosen tried to appease the audience by stating the draft plan is "not a done deal."
Microphones then opened for public comments and attendees, ranging from youth to seniors, lined up quickly to have their say.
The majority of speakers criticized the draft plan, questioned the proposed development and expressed concerns over what they felt was a lack of green space and wildlife conservation. One citizen referred to the conservation aspect of the draft plan as the elephant in the room. Also fiercely contested was housing density, water use and further road accessibility issues. Many speakers cited the Town's official community plan, asking Rosen, "What happened to our OCP?"
One woman summarized the draft plan as "paving paradise." A young boy said he didn't want the plan "to make kids lose their tree forts."
Conversely, some comments were of an extremely personal nature and had to be moderated due to their rude and even threatening tone.
Asked about the comments in a follow-up interview April 11, Mayor Barry Janyk said he was disappointed. While he had hoped to hear positive comments from people on how to amend or adjust the plan, all he heard was "no development."
"This is not an option for us," Janyk said. "We don't have a choice. We have property owners who want to develop the property. It places council in a really difficult spot.
"If the positive response is 'just say no,' I don't know what council can do with that."
"We recognized there was a lot of frustration around whether or not the Town was hearing residents," added municipal planner Michael Epp. "It was a difficult meeting to plan and facilitate. I don't think there is any ideal way of doing it that is going to satisfy everyone."
Epp is currently compiling the completed surveys and examining the public's comments.
According to the Town, the next steps involve a lengthy process, starting with the referral of the draft plan to both government and non-government organizations and the collection of any correspondence received. Additionally, upon review of the meeting's survey and comment summaries, council will decide what revisions need to be made and instruct those changes in order to move forward. A first reading of the bylaw will then take place, sending the bylaw to a public hearing.
According to Rosen, there may be another information meeting before the public hearing takes place, adding yet more consultation. The public hearing at this point is slated for June, but that timeline could change based on council's next decisions.
