Dear Mayor Rowe and Council:
I am writing you to express my concern and disapproval regarding the approved variances to the zoning bylaw for the expansion of the Gibsons Public Market.
I believe this project is for some reason the darling of this administration and has been given the green light no matter what. I cannot accept the waiving by council of $110,000 for frontage works on this project. If this is a normal cost for a developer, then there should be no exceptions. Who pays, if not the developer? My guess would be the taxpayer. The setbacks and signage, too, should follow the rules, otherwise you will set a dangerous precedent.
Why is this market getting so much help from this council? I realize it is a very attractive idea, but realistically, at what cost? Can our small town afford it? A $275,000 grant depleting our parks acquisition fund, and now waiving $110,000 for frontage improvements is in essence giving them $385,000 by my calculations. What other projects in Gibsons have had such generosity from the taxpayers?
It feels like this is over-the-top support from a municipal government. So my question to you is, why are you spending money that you said we did not have on this project? Just because the town is taking money from a fund and forgiving a normal development fee does not mean this is not a cost to the taxpayer!
It is merely juggling of figures.
Judith Bonkoff, Gibsons
