A road dedication unofficially called Sargeant Road (not to be confused with the nearby Sargeant Bay Provincial Park) was on Sechelt’s May 17 agenda for closure and relocation.
Senior development planner Sven Koberwitz introduced the road as an unused but dedicated road allowance that does not follow the topography or features of the area and “doesn’t serve any useful purpose for the district at this point.” It was never developed for public use and partially coincides with a private driveway. The road dedication was made in 1922, and no previous trail or road construction was found.
In order to take advantage of existing trails, allow the property owners to realign the parcel, and provide better public access to the beach, council was asked to consider a road exchange agreement. (The beach the existing Sargeant Road connects to can also be reached by Annex Road’s beach access.)
The beach at the end of the proposed relocated road features a sheltered cove with beautiful views, staff said.
The road in question was presented to the previous council in 2019. At the time, council told staff to draft a road closure and exchange bylaw, and for the property owner of 7201 Sunshine Coast Highway to undertake surveys. The road is on private property and would be “swapped” for another area on the same property.
Council gave three readings to the road closure and disposition bylaw. Coun. Dianne McLauchlan abstained from voting. Next, a public notice will be issued and the public will have the opportunity to provide input. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure would also need to approve the change. Council will then consider adoption and the exchange would take place after.
Coun. Darren Inkster asked what triggered the road exchange and whether the property will be developed soon. Staff said there are no plans for development on the property.
Councillors Brenda Rowe and Alton Toth both said the access would be better than what is currently there.
Rowe said, “I just want to reiterate: The district is winning when it comes to ocean frontage with this new road.”
