Editor:
I attended the public hearing on May 9 at the Gibsons Legion to address the bylaw amendment for Eagleview Heights. I presented the O’Shea/Oceanmount Community Association’s (OOCA) position on the matter and the developer provided their case. I was impressed that speakers were respectful and given ample opportunity to speak repeatedly until completed.
I was concerned about the impression by some attendees that OOCA is against development of the site. That is not accurate. We welcome responsible development. Our position is simply that the number of new multi-storey apartment units being proposed would be overwhelming and are requesting a reduction. The current guideline of 25 units/hectare is being interpreted as 45 units. A small “loophole” is being used to justify an increase in density of 82 per cent. Speakers in favour of the development approached this as an “all or nothing” decision. It’s not. We are simply asking council to reduce the density to a more neighbourhood-friendly level.
We support the realtors, construction companies and other potential suppliers to this development. We want them to receive some of the economic benefits. We welcome this development if it responsibly fits into our quiet single-family neighbourhood. Do we really need to destroy one neighbourhood to construct another?
Confrontations at public meetings are a sign the development process isn’t working. It should include more meaningful community consultation prior to bringing a zoning amendment to this stage. Our detailed letter to the developer outlining what OOCA believed would be appropriate was unfortunately never answered.
Disagreement is stressful to all parties and makes it especially challenging for council, who must now make the final decision. We are hoping council will give us the opportunity to work with the developer and Town Planning to provide a project we can all support. Let’s take our time and get it right.
William Baker, Director,
O’Shea/Oceanmount Community Association
