The Ocean Stories seniors’ facility pitched by developer Doug Spani for the property between the Rockwood Centre and Chatelech Secondary School has passed third reading with some specific conditions.
The conditions state that Spani must provide a traffic impact study for the development and inclusion of its recommendations in a development agreement; provide a detailed design of an accessible pathway through Rockwood Centre that retains the landscaping; produce a geotechnical assessment report that supports the proposed building heights; improve the sewer collection system in the area; create a public access over the proposed strata road; and put in sidewalk, curb, gutter, streetlight and bicycle lane extensions to Pilot Way as needed to complete both sides of the road.
With those conditions in place, Sechelt council gave unanimous third reading on April 20 to the OCP and zoning amendments needed for the development to move forward.
“I raised a number of issues at the last meeting. I’m happy to see that they’ve somewhat been addressed,” said Coun. Noel Muller.
“I’m also happy to see that the traffic modeling study is something that’s shared because obviously this is a situation where we’re adding a lot of density in a corridor where there’s some competing uses and we’re just mopping up the details. When you have something of this scale, it really requires that we deal with those details and move towards the best and most livable option.”
Muller said that for him, the pathway through Rockwood Centre was key because of the importance of the site to the community.
Staff presented a revised plan for the pathway that would utilize much of the existing pathway and cause minimal disturbance to landscaping in the area.
Coun. Mike Shanks said the new pathway plan looked “like a good compromise.”
“I’m pleased that there has been some degree of compromise, I would expect, in terms of what we have now and a conscious decision for the development and the people living in the development to enjoy what this property has to offer. It’s good,” Shanks said.
Other requirements of the project already set by council include a cash contribution of $200,000 for affordable housing, a total of 1,670 square metres of land given to the district for community use or future hospice use, and the registration of a housing agreement covenant that ensures the facility provides special needs housing in the form of supportive and/or assisted living housing.
The development will now have to come back to Sechelt council for fourth reading and final adoption before building can begin.
