Property owners in the Seawatch subdivision in Sechelt painted a picture of secrecy, poor oversight, and inaction during a special meeting called to address their concerns in the wake of sinkholes appearing in the area, dating back to 2012.
About 75 people attended the Sept. 20 session with the mayor and council, including the owners of at least nine of the 14 homes along Gale Avenue North and Seawatch Lane.
More than a half-dozen made presentations touching on legal and technical points as well as the emotional and financial impact of the ongoing problems.
Chris Moradian and Rod Goy told councillors that as far as they see it, the problems at Seawatch go back to well before 2012.
“The District of Sechelt was well informed of the challenges associated with geo-technical issues in this area... It has taken us a painstaking process and over two-and-a-half years to discover this information; all due to secrecy, in-camera meetings and gross lack of transparency,” said Moradian.
Goy presented technical details and a list of questions Seawatch residents want answered on how the development approvals were handled and actions taken since 2012.
Another Seawatch resident, Rae-dene Pednaud, asked Milne to recall a conversation they had just after the 2012 sinkhole appeared. “I stood with you on Gayle Avenue North and you told me you would fix it… I’m angry, frankly. I’m angry that I’ve had to explain to my kids why their friends had to leave. I’m angry that I have to lie awake sleeplessly when it rains at night wondering what I’m going to wake up to the next day. I’m angry that for the past two-and-a-half years this situation has been all-consuming for us.”
Ross and Erin Storey and their three children were forced from their home at 6657 Gayle Ave. North by a sinkhole in 2015. With their voices breaking at times, they told councillors what they’ve been through. “Thankfully we have amazing support of friends and family who’ve helped us through this difficult time,” said Erin Storey.
Ross Storey said they believe “the district and other parties” failed in their duties. “It is our respectful position that our home and property cannot ever be made safe, no matter what the cost… In our view the only viable option is for the district and others to buy out our home and property.”
Councillors also heard from Greg and Gerry Latham, who are among the residents who pursued legal action. They described the frustrations of that experience. Mike Paddison, another property owner involved in legal action, said he estimates the homeowners who’ve gone that route have spent a combined $250,000 so far.
Councillors said little during the presentations, although at one point Mayor Bruce Milne called them “powerful statements.”
“We don’t disagree with the expectations, or many of the statements of value, but some of the statements of fact we would disagree with,” he said.
Milne also promised public answers to questions raised at the meeting, and defended council’s record on transparency.
“There’s a lot of information that’s come through tonight,” Milne said. “There is one thing I do recall saying very clearly in our very first meeting [with Seawatch residents] was that we would be transparent … and I also said that we would look for a comprehensive solution for the site.”
Developer Ron Davis of Concordia Homes was in the public gallery but did not address the meeting, and chose not to comment afterwards.
Sechelt has now posted several background documents to its website including a 2015 report that puts the cost of “the most comprehensive option” for dealing with Seawatch as high as $10 million. The documents can be viewed online at: tinyurl.com/ycxo3nls.
Rod Goy's PowerPoint presentation is now online here.
