The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) board voted June 14 to make a number of comments to the Town of Gibsons regarding the Gospel Rock neighbourhood plan.
Gibsons Coun. Gerry Tretick excluded himself from the vote.
"I really shouldn't be voting on that because that's an issue that will come in front of council," he said, before leaving the board room.
"It's his choice whether he wants to stay in the room and vote or not," said Elphinstone director Lorne Lewis as the board discussed whether Tretick was somehow obligated to do so.
The board subsequently passed 25 comments to the Town of Gibsons.
On June 7, the infrastructure services committee passed 17 comments. Those were rolled in with an additional eight comments passed on June 14, during the SCRD's community services committee.
Of the recommendations, most dealt with infrastructure concerns, including emergency and general access to the neighbourhood.
Some specific comments included recommending that the Town of Gibsons explore the possibilities of providing a pedestrian and bike lane on Gower Point Road and links to commercial areas using trails and transit.
"Elphinstone property owners and members of the Elphinstone Electors Association should be included in discussions relating to the drainage and stormwater plan and plan management that derive from future development," read one comment.
The SCRD said it will not provide septic services, "in particular to the northern waterfront property."
Also among the comments were environmental concerns related to the waterfront properties and Seaward Creek, an arm of which the SCRD said it felt wasn't being protected by the neighbourhood plan.
"SCRD expresses concern for the protection of the highly sensitive area and important conservation area on Gower Point Road," read one entry, urging "property owners to seek conservation status for the entire waterfront area."
