Editor:
Why did the Sechelt council recently approve the West Porpoise Bay Estates Development (six condo buildings of three and four storeys totalling 80 units) when it contravenes so many of the guidelines and policies of the Official Community Plan?
The planner’s report outlines issues regarding the steep slopes on this development site: “There are aspects of this development proposal that are not in alignment with OCP policy and Development Permit Area (DPA) guidelines due to the nature of the steep slopes. Most of the area falls within 30% and 60% slopes. The OCP limits development at 20% and suggests prohibiting development on slopes over 30%.”
Regarding the density of 80 units: “The development does not meet the policy or guidelines pertaining to the allocation of development density on slopes over 30%.”
The OCP, Bylaw 492, has been in existence since 2010. Why don’t OCP rules apply to this 2017 development plan?
Restrictions on development on steep slopes are there to prevent harm to the natural environment, to protect existing properties and potential homeowners and to protect taxpayers from damage costs. How are existing homeowners going to be protected when there will be blasting and excavations of up to 10 metres deep on this development site? Can this council guarantee that holes blasted 33 feet deep will not present any danger to homes or residents of Marine Way who live adjacent to this property, some of them only a few metres from the blasting sites? Can they guarantee the blasting will not affect the marine environment or the herons and eagles who inhabit the trees on this property? Can they guarantee taxpayers won’t end up paying if there is a blasting accident that damages the infrastructure? Kudos to Coun. McLean for outlining OCP guidelines not met and voting against the development.
Has the Sechelt council put at risk the safety of current and future residents and their homes by not following many of the OCP guidelines and policies for steep slopes? Only time will tell.
Catherine Calder, Sechelt
