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Sechelt briefs: Active transportation and water month

Sechelt has joined the Town of Gibsons in proclaiming May as “Water Month” and “Active Transportation Month.
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Sechelt has joined the Town of Gibsons in proclaiming May as “Water Month” and “Active Transportation Month.”

Mayor Darnelda Siegers read the proclamations at the May 1 council meeting, which also saw council approve a 2019-22 strategic plan that highlights goals tied to both themes.

On water, Sechelt council says it will develop a strategy for the use of reclaimed water and demonstrate leadership “by implementing district water conservation measures and exploring water supply options.”

The council also commits to “planning neighbourhoods to enable all residents to meet their daily needs easily, safely and conveniently by linking neighbourhoods with pathways, sidewalks, bicycle lands and transit routes.”

Greenecourt

Council voted May 1 to approve a housing agreement with the Lions Housing Society that paves the way for subdivision of the lot at 5583 Ocean Ave. and final building permit and construction approvals for the society’s planned Greenecourt expansion.

The agreement requires the society to set aside 30 per cent of the 104 units in the five-story building as affordable units for people with “moderate income” as defined by BC Housing.

Fifty per cent will be allocated as “rent geared to income” units, and 20 per cent will be “deep subsidy” units for people on low incomes.

“Thanks to the Lions Club for moving this forward,” Siegers said. “This is a project that’s very much needed in our community.”

Airport lease

Council has approved an amendment to the lease between the district and Olson Electric for property on the airport lands at 4472 Hilltop Rd.

The company has just finished the first year of a five-year lease on the property which has an option to renew for another five years.

Olson requested a change to allow for a 10-year renewal option with an additional 10-year option after that for a potential total of 25 years.

Director of finance Doug Stewart told council the company wants the longer lease terms to make it more feasible to invest in improvements to the building, which it wants to become a “showcase” for the solar and alternative energy technology it sells. Stewart said the advantage to the district would be an improved building and “having a reliable long-term tenant.”

Coun. Matt McLean raised the only concern about the change. “I don’t know what the airport operations are going to look like in 30 years, and I don’t want to limit what the airport can be because of this one property.”

The current lease rate is $2,800 per month with increases for each year built in. Stewart estimated that if both extensions are exercised the potential revenue for the district over the course of the lease would be a little over $1 million.