A development concept for two 10-storey towers on Gibsons' waterfront was given a thumbs down by the majority at an open house held by Windridge Properties on Sept. 7.
"I personally like the idea of development but I am strongly opposed to any 10 story structure," said Mary G. Webb who was at the open house held at the Gibsons Curling Club.
Windridge Properties Ltd. is considering building either the two 10-storey apartments or a U-shaped four story residential/commercial development on a piece of property between Gower Point and Prowse roads beside the Gibsons Marina.
That property has sat vacant for a number of years and Coun. Tucker Forsyth said he is in favour of some kind of development on the site.
"They've been talking about doing something down there since I was mayor nine or 10 years ago. It's good to see something happening there now," said Forsyth.
The Town of Gibsons has expressed interest in a four-story commercial/residential development on the property but Windridge Properties Ltd. vice-president Greg Farquharson said his team wanted to pitch the 10-storey towers as an option.
"One of these plans is technically what the Town of Gibsons envisioned and the other is something they hadn't contemplated," said Farquharson.
The two plans both call for extending the pedestrian walkway along the seawall and enhancing the existing waterfront park. They also both include approximately 80 residential suites with underground parking for residents, but the 10-storey plan allows for more green space at the site, noted Farquharson.
"There would be a lot more green space for everyone to enjoy and building two taller towers actually will create more of a view corridor [than the four-story building]," he said.
In order to include 80 residential units in a four story plan Windridge Properties Ltd. would spread the building over about 75 per cent of the property configuring it in a U shape. That plan also calls for up to 10 live/work suites to be built along the waterfront.
Many at the open house seemed receptive to the four-story plan but many comments were heard opposing the 10-storey proposal.
"I just don't want to see anything over four stories high built there. The waterfront should be open so everyone can walk and see the water," said Peggy Volen.
Farquharson says he plans to go over all of the comments received before making a formal presentation to the Town of Gibsons on the project.
Windridge Properties Ltd. will hold another open house on their concepts for the waterfront property this Wednesday, Sept. 14 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Gibsons Curling Club.
