On Wednesday night Sechelt council defeated the Wakefield II proposal that would have included a liquor primary licence bistro amidst three single-family residences and three triplex units at the former Wakefield Inn site in West Sechelt.
The decision came as a surprise to developers and even some opponents to the plan who felt council would support the application tied to the opening of a liquor store at the Tsain-Ko Shopping Centre on Sechelt Indian Band lands.
It was that tie to the opening of a new liquor store along with concerns over highway traffic at the Wakefield site, parking constraints and alcohol off sales that caused public concern and eventually a four to two vote at council defeating the plan.
Coun. Ed Steeves said he questioned the need for a commercial component at the Wakefield site from the beginning.
"I was told it would replace the old Wakefield," he said.
Coun. Barry Poole noted the 40-seat bistro would not be "the Wakefield reborn."
He said he was in favour of the development, citing general support he heard for the bistro from West Sechelt residents.
But some councillors felt the bistro atmosphere could be achieved without providing a liquor primary licence on site, which would also effectively halt the opening of a new liquor store at the Tsain-Ko Shopping Centre. Alcohol can be served at an establishment with a food primary licence.
"I'm not sure West Sechelt wants a pub to replace the one that's gone. I think we were going in the right direction when we said it should go forward with a food primary licence specifically to service that neighbourhood," Coun. Mike Shanks said, referring to many months ago when Sechelt council gave the plan the go-ahead with a food primary licence attached to the bistro.
Following that meeting there was speculation some closed door meetings were held, and shortly after the plan was before council again, this time with the liquor primary licence attached to the bistro.
That's when two local businessmen sought legal advice, saying proper public process may not have been followed. They rallied local business groups to write letters to the District opposing the plan.
Mayor Cam Reid referred to that opposition as "very loud and very strong from some competing businesses. I was very disappointed to see the attack on this proposed business venture from another business," Reid told council.
When the vote was called, all but Reid and Poole were against seeing the proposal go forward in its current state.
That left John Gillespie, development manager with the project, unsure of the builder's next steps.
"The problem is we don't know what they [council] want. They keep changing their minds and it makes it very difficult. We shouldn't have to guess," Gillespie said, noting Wakefield Homes has changed their plans and added community benefits many times at council's request.
Dale Schweighardt, manager of the Lighthouse Pub, who strongly opposed the plan, along with Gilligan's Pub owner Arden Inkster, said the pair were pleased with the outcome.
"We're pleased the public process worked. There is no reason for a liquor primary licence there other than to facilitate a liquor store elsewhere we believe the developer, Wakefield Homes, is a builder of quality homes. If they brought this project back without the liquor primary licence, we feel the community would support it," Schweighardt said.
Wakefield Homes was planning to meet with District staff yesterday (Feb. 22) to discuss their options.
