Editor:
Some people are making claims that the George Hotel proposal contravenes the Gibsons Official Community Plan (OCP). If they took the time to actually read the plan, they would see that it does nothing of the sort.
Section 1.1 of the plan includes the following:
• “The OCP is a long-range policy guide for land use planning …”
• “… an OCP is not intended to be a static document … it shall respond to new, unanticipated conditions and circumstances …”
• “The intent … is to guide council’s decisions in relation to residential and commercial development … “
• “An OCP also identifies where future development should occur …”
• “… an OCP may be revised through adoption of an amending bylaw …”
Section 1.1 also refers to the zoning bylaw and development permits as among the tools council may use to implement objectives. Included, too, in the OCP, is the Harbour Plan, which clearly designates as residential/tourism the section of land for which the George is proposed.
Despite claims to the contrary, it should be recognized that council is using the OCP as it was intended; that the land for the George has been designated for development in the Harbour Plan; and that council is following due process in considering the George proposal.
That due process will lead to a public hearing for community comment. Then, and only then, council will make its final decision whether or not to approve the proposal.
Tucker Forsyth, Gibsons
