SSC
The three councillors assembled for the planning and community development committee meeting on Feb. 24 recommended approving more than 45 conditions for SSC properties to move forward, but deferred discussion on whether it should be allowed to connect to the sewer system.
“I would ask or request that staff bring the planning minutes of this meeting back to the first full council that we have, which will be no sooner than March 16 because people are away,” said Coun. Mike Shanks, who chaired the meeting.
“It’s a fairly contentious, big issue and I think we need some full discussion on that.”
The other two councillors in attendance, Alice Lutes and Darnelda Siegers, agreed and the motion passed.
SSC properties is located about 4.5 km from downtown Sechelt along Sechelt Inlet Road beside Porpoise Bay Provincial Park. It consists of 10 properties totalling 169 hectares.
Proponents want to create a mixed residential/commercial neighbourhood that includes up to 1,360 residential units of varying size and price-point, an ocean front mixed-commercial area, a live-in secondary school, an eco education/adventure park, independent, supportive and assisted living units for seniors and an affordable housing component.
If approved by council, it’s expected the site will be developed over the next 10 to 15 years “at least,” according to SSC Properties.
See the full list of conditions councillors recommended on the Feb. 24 planning and community development committee agenda.
Food Bank
At the same meeting, councillors recommended drafting amendments to the zoning and Official Community Plan bylaw that would allow Sunshine Coast Community Services Society (SCCSS) to sell a portion of their property (Lot 36) where the food bank and some of the community gardens now sit.
The society’s board of directors president Helen Carkner said SCCSS wants to sell Lot 36 because an “opportunity presented itself to sell this under-utilized piece of property and potentially reinvest in social and community issues.”
Sechelt planner Angela Letman noted the society has been approached by someone wishing to set up a storage facility on the property.
The plan, if approved by council, is to relocate the food bank and community gardens now on portions of Lot 36 to sit directly behind the SCCSS building and sell the vacant lot.
“Should the sale go ahead, we will put careful plans in place to minimize any disruption to those who depend on the food bank or the community gardens,” Carkner said.
Chapman trail
The District of Sechelt could have the Chapman Creek Trail rerouted by the end of May, parks supervisor Perry Schmitt said during the Feb. 24 public works, parks and environment committee meeting.
Schmitt was before the committee asking for approval to suspend a study to remediate erosion caused by the creek and instead complete a business case to reroute the trail.
“I’m just looking at the monies that we set aside towards that study, thinking it would be much better to just put a hold on that study and take those monies and put it to actual on-the-ground rebuilding the trail,” Schmitt said, noting the study to date shows manipulating the creek would be a large, costly and difficult task.
“So I’m asking for council to give me the go-ahead to do a business report on that. I would expect to have it by next committee for a decision.”
Councillors at the committee meeting recommended allowing Schmitt to do the study, with Coun. Doug Wright saying Schmitt had “good solid reasoning,” but cautioning him to make sure the Davis Bay community is made aware of plans for the trail well before any construction takes place.
