Developer Doug Spani made a presentation to Sechelt's planning committee Tuesday detailing construction on a new Rockwood Annex building and a condominium project that would incorporate twin towers, each 12 storeys high, and two four-storey complexes between the annex building and Chatelech Secondary School.
The presentation was Spani's first formal presentation of the project that would be constructed in phases, the first being the rebuilding of the Rockwood Annex, landscaping and restoration of the pathway running along the side of Rockwood from Chatelech to Sechelt Elementary School and installation of 50 new parking spaces for Rockwood users.
The annex building is in dire need of repair and has been on the district's books to replace for about four years.
A select committee was established in the fall of 2001 to advice council on the best response to replace the annex building. They recommended the district look into ways to finance a new convention facility to replace the building.
However, the cost to build could run upwards of $2 million, said Spani, who noted he would finance the structure and turn it over to the district to maintain and rent out.
In return for his work on the community building, Spani is asking the district to waive or lower development cost charges for the residential portion of his project.
Spani plans to develop the two lots he owns between Rockwood and Chat to house 216 units in two 12-storey vertical towers and two four-storey condominiums. These lots are approximately .76 hectares and 1.64 hectares each and are currently zoned R1 and R4 respectively. Spani would need to rezone the properties in question and receive a height variance from the District of Sechelt to proceed with the project.
"This is about density and increasing density in the downtown core, which has a positive impact on the economy," said Spani.
In addition to the condominiums, Spani's plans call for 247 underground parking stalls and 35 above-ground parking stalls for residents of the condominiums. All of the councillors at the planning meeting seemed in favour of Spani's project and recommended he return with his presentation to the regular council meeting next Wednesday, Feb. 16.
"We basically came here to get some feedback and to see if there is a lot of resistance to the height of the building," said Spani, noting that as they go forward in the process with the District of Sechelt and have a public hearing sometime in March, they will assess the community's stand on the proposal.
