The Town of Gibsons is trying to find a way to supply water to a property on Chaster Road so the owner can build a single-family home on the site.
The property, situated at Chaster and Shaw roads, is currently forested and undeveloped and lies outside the area serviced by municipal water.
A formal request from the Town to the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) to connect the property to the regional water system was rejected last month on the recommendation of SCRD staff, who warned it would set a precedent.
For the same reason, Gibsons staff recommended rejecting a well-drilling variance application for the property, citing Town policies to protect the aquifer. About five properties in Gibsons, all of them within the Gospel Rock planning area, are not serviced by either municipal or well water, staff reported.
Discussing the problem at Tuesday's committee-of-the-whole meeting, councillors directed CAO Emanuel Machado to meet with his SCRD counterpart, John France, and restate the Town's case.
At the same time, staff will explore the possibility of approving a cistern system for the property. Coun. Dan Bouman proposed the idea, saying rain-harvesting systems are being used all over the Gulf Islands, with typical systems capable of storing 4,000 gallons, which can be processed into potable water for added costs.
"I'd like the Town to take an initiative here and not worry about what the regional district thinks," Bouman said.
Representing the owner at Tuesday's meeting, Joe Walker thanked council for "going far beyond" its duties for a well-drilling application. He said the owner of the property would look favourably on either of the two solutions suggested by council.
The owner had not been looking for a permanent solution, but as a widow in her late 70s, "a year for her to wait is a long time," Walker said.
The application for a variance permit to drill a well was made in October 2011.
"I believe council is reluctant to tell this property owner 'tough luck,' so we're trying to find a solution," Mayor Wayne Rowe said.
The CAO will report back to council on the matter at a future committee meeting.
