The following are briefs from Sechelt’s Feb. 7 regular meeting.
Rezoning adoption
Council adopted a rezoning that will allow for the construction of a 117-townhouse development on 5981 Shoal Way in Sechelt.
The Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw updates received their first reading on Dec. 21, 2022 and third on Oct.18, 2023.
The OCP amendment designated the area Multifamily Mixed Residential from Special infill Area 5 and changed the allowed density to 58 units per hectare and 1.4 Floor Area Ratio.
The Zoning Bylaw amendment rezoned the area to RM1 (Residential Multiple 1) from RU1 (Rural 1).
Coun. Darren Inkster asked about road access to the development, noting that there was only a half road in the proposal.
Ian Holl, development planning manager at the District of Sechelt, said that the half road refers to the size of the road dedication.
He explained that it is still a paved, two-lane road, and that once the other half of the road dedication is acquired from the neighbouring property, the dedication can be expanded.
Holl also explained that a covenant will be secured on the title of the property, which will transfer six affordable housing units to a nonprofit housing society that will maintain them as affordable rental units.
He added that as of now, the covenant has not been secured by a nonprofit housing society.
Aidan Shirley, CAO and development manager at CityState consulting group, said while they have been working with the district's lawyer to draft the covenant, the Real Estate Development Marketing Act does not allow them to make an offer at this point in the development.
Council unanimously voted to adopt both the OCP amendment and the Zoning Bylaw amendment.
Sargeant Road closure and disposition
In the same meeting, council opted to close Sargent Road in West Sechelt.
In 2019, the owners of 7201 Sunshine Coast Highway applied for a road closure and exchange to facilitate a lot-line adjustment while offering an alternative public beach access.
The current road was never developed for public use and the dedication coincides with a private driveway.
A staff report states that the current road dedication is irregular, with no prior trail or road construction evident, saying, “It is unclear why such an irregular dedication was made at the time of subdivision in 1922, however it is not uncommon for historical dedications to bear no relationship with topography and actual use.”
The new beach access road would be farther to the east and roughly halfway between Annex Road and Hill Road, and has been widened at key points to accommodate future development.
In November 2019, council directed staff to begin drafting the road closure and exchange bylaw, and in May 2023, council gave three readings to the bylaw.
Public notice was posted and authorization has been received from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
The motion was unanimously adopted without discussion.
Jordan Copp is the Coast Reporter’s civic and Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
