About 100 people came out to the fourth public hearing for Target Marine Hatcheries' application to harvest sturgeon for caviar Tuesday night, with the same concerns and reasons for support expressed as in the past.
Among the top concerns voiced at the June 26 public hearing were increased noise from the operation, worries the sturgeon harvesting building is in a flood zone and thoughts that the operation should move to a suitable industrial area.
Reasons given to support the application were creation of jobs, the strong public support shown in the referendum last November, feelings the noise would not increase with the operation and the desire to let Target get on with a plan that has been passed by various councils, only to be legally challenged and have the process start all over again.
"These poor people have been before so many council meetings," said resident Martha Scheel. "It's very difficult in any city, municipality, village to change things. We all like to see things stay the same. Life doesn't stay the same. Please get on with it."
Others echoed Scheel's sentiment with Sechelt Chamber of Commerce president Christine Stefanik saying enough public consultation has been done and it's time to move forward.
Tillicum Bay resident Shirley Kuciuk, who launched the last lawsuit against the District that quashed the bylaws allowing the caviar operation, presented a nine-page submission outlining her concerns, complete with supporting documentation.
Kuciuk spoke about things like proper consultation, flood plain issues, location of the proposed septic field, referral of the plan to government agencies and permitted uses at Target's site.
At times she asked questions that seemed to imply another lawsuit could be looming if council approves the Target application. However, at the end, she told council, "All I want is a conversation with you about these issues."
In 2007 Target first made an application for an official community plan (OCP) and zoning bylaw amendment to process sturgeon and sturgeon roe on site to make caviar.
The application was approved by the council of the day, but the bylaws were quashed due to a procedural irregularity.
In 2010 Target applied again and council at the time sent the issue to a non-binding referendum coinciding with the Nov. 19, 2011 municipal election.
The results of the referendum showed 2,687 people in favour of seeing Target's application proceed and 663 opposed.
The current council passed Target's needed bylaw and OCP amendments shortly after being elected, but they were later struck down by the B.C. Supreme Court after being challenged.
In April, the process started over again and this time council is trying to ensure every T is crossed and I is dotted to avoid more court challenges.
Sechelt council is expected to make a decision on Target's application at one of their regular council meetings next month.
