Developers presented plans for a new residential development at the Wakefield Inn site to Sechelt council August 30. It will return to council for first reading on Sept. 7.
Developer Lance Sparling is proposing three levels of residential housing on the sloping waterfront lot, including 12 townhouses, 11 duplexes and six single-family homes.
While councillors seemed on board with the proposal for the prime piece of waterfront in Sechelt, Coun. Warren Allan questioned the inability of the developer to save the "historic Wakefield Inn.""One of the requirements was to maintain the Wakefield Inn as an historic building," Allan said, noting the plans now call for "vestiges to be incorporated," into parts of the development.
"It doesn't sound like very much will be left of the original building," Allan said.
Developers plan to dismantle the building and showcase pieces of the heritage site. "The way we agreed for them to maintain the vestiges is to incorporate parts of the building into the development and erect interpretive signage," said planning director Ray Parfitt.
In his nine-page report on the building proposal from Wakefield Project Partnership, Parfitt notes, "The developer has explored a number of options associated with preserving and displaying the heritage of the Wakefield site."
The report states the building has been offered to a non-profit organization for relocation. It has also been offered to the district to operate or sub-lease as a bistro/restaurant.
"The problem is the building is in need of repair, and we're not even sure it is moveable," Parfitt said.
Councillor Ed Steeves said keeping remnants of the building on site is "the best they can do," and he noted the developer's proposed contribution to affordable housing as a plus for the project.
Mayor Cam Reid noted his original resistance to the plan, if they were not able to save the Wakefield Inn.
"Initially I felt they had to preserve this building at all costs. But the developer has tried, and it can't be saved. They can't dismantle it and rebuild it, but I appreciate the developer trying to find a solution," Reid said.
The plan will come back to council on Sept. 7 for first reading and scheduling of a public hearing.
