Editor:
It's disconcerting to hear people who don't live in Gibsons think they know what's best for those who do. It's easy to sit on a deck in Langdale or Sechelt and say there are "no impacts" so "just get on with it and build something, anything."
The fact is, Lower Gibsons is also an established neighbourhood, and there will be some serious impacts with allowing a building twice as big as currently zoned.
The George will dominate the landscape and views. It will create traffic and parking problems on nearby streets. The liquor facilities mean late night door slamming, cars starting and loud voices under bedroom windows. Other impacts include park encroachment, water, sewage and more. Most of all, it will set a bad precedent, inviting the Shoal Bay lands and the rest of the Landing to become a wall of condos along the water.
Developers are good at creating the impression that everything will be wonderful. The architect claims to have taken dozens of photos from South Fletcher and the area, showing no problems. Not from my place or neighbours I've talked to.Using pastel drawings and far away photos taken only from the best angles, impacts are minimized and misrepresented.
I am not a NIMBY.I support our businesses. I've had a long term shop in the Landing, and have worked on many cultural events to make the village more exciting. I support a smaller hotel that fits in to the village character.
Residents have relied on the official community plan to protect their interests and keep Gibsons the best small town in the world. Before jumping on The George bandwagon please be thoughtful, and listen to concerns with a fair mind. Let's all insist on something that adds to the local economy, but also truly reflects Gibsons' history and uniqueness.
Graham Walker, Gibsons
