Editor:
Thank you for reporting on the massive community opposition to RTC’s proposed plan to desecrate the lots at the corner of Shorncliffe and Coast Highway by inserting 48 housing units (“Opposition to RTC voiced at hearing,” Jan. 20).
I would like to add two points that came up at this meeting that I think are important. Right now the three lots are zoned R-1 or residential (one house/lot). Although the planning document for this area does contemplate future multi-family development, it states very explicitly that any such changes must begin by consulting with any neighbours likely to be affected. No such consultation occurred. The completed plan was just dropped whole into the “let’s do this fast” pile.
The audience then heard that, years ago, after the council had approved the original (awful!) plan for The Watermark, that approval was successfully challenged in court, leading to a much more open and pleasant design. I think that these two facts together made it very clear to all present that the RTC proposal was extremely vulnerable to a similar strategy. It needs to go back to the drawing board and this time, they need to make sure that all those affected by this proposed change are sitting at that table.
James and Christine Pawley, Glenn and Nancy Gourlie, Stan Lubin, Sechelt
