Plans for two structures housing 20 apartments on the three-acre waterfront site at Shorncliffe and Highway 101 received development permit approval at the Aug. 4 Sechelt council meeting.
Project proponent Tyler Schmidt told Coast Reporter it will likely be about six months before construction starts at the property. The developer, he said, is working on building permit applications and “the bits and pieces” of the agreements for off-site servicing to the site.
Schmidt said that the development will also be producing the design documents for improvements to the crosswalk traversing Highway 101 near the site.
Changes, including potential relocation of the crossing closer to Trail Bay Centre, are part of three-way discussions with the developer, Sechelt and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Any improvements “will benefit residents of the new development and the community in general,” he said. “It’s a busy intersection. There are people crossing there all the time looking to get to Snickett Park and the beach.”
During his presentation to council, planner Sven Koberwitz noted the developer would be installing the underground works that would allow for signalization of the crosswalk. The ministry would be responsible for approval of installation of crossing signals on the highway.
The developer will also be dedicating just over one-fifth of a hectare (half an acre) of property from the site to Sechelt as park land, to be used to extend Snickett Park.
Before voting in favour of approving the development permit, Coun. Tom Lamb said he would have preferred to have seen at least 100 residential units included on that site.
