Editor:
In reading Connie Jordison’s report of the recent Sechelt Chamber of Commerce delegation to council, I am encouraged by their involvement and forward thinking of solutions to address our more pressing local issues.
Top of the list, at least during the summer months of course, is the water shortage but an inadequate housing supply is a year-round problem. Greater urgency coupled with more creative thinking is required to mitigate the damage caused by the lacklustre progress on this front.
The chamber presentation encouraged council and staff to be more aggressive in their approach to housing and to work more expediently and co-operatively with potential developers.
Of course, having the long, long awaited new zoning bylaw in place might help clarify a vision of increased density for certain areas of Sechelt, especially the tired and under-utilized downtown core. An element of certainty in multi-family zoning would allow developers to move forward more quickly and provide much needed affordable housing, either for rental or purchase. The chamber was championing various other issues on the Coast but, currently, lack of housing is the most damaging and I compliment the chamber for acting proactively in recommending some solutions.
Rob Steele, Sechelt
