Editor:
On May 23 there was a meeting at Coopers Green where the owners of Rockwater Resort (RWR) revealed their plan to apply for a zoning change and change to the Halfmoon Bay Official Community Plan (OCP). They are proposing a 48-unit, four-storey strata building and parkade. Their plan is to sell these units. (The new owners would have the option of renting them back to RWR when not in use.) This development is not at all compatible with the OCP, or the zoning bylaws.
The Halfmoon Bay OCP is legislated through the Local Government Act and classifies itself as a “high level document.” The OCP policies and visions are expected to be valid until 2031. But a mere four years later the residents are having to defend them. Here are some excerpts from the OCP: preserve our rural community character, maintain a low density rural community, reduce visual, air, sound and light pollution, support B&B and cottage rentals in residential areas without changing the character of the neighbourhood.
We do not want this natural neighbourhood densified. Ole’s Cove Road is a short but curvy dead-end road with no sight lines and no sidewalks. It is already dangerous for the locals.
Some might think the residents of this area just don’t want it in their back yard, but it is already in our back yard. It is a resort that supplies jobs, a restaurant, kayak rentals and beautiful accommodation. Along with that come extra car and foot traffic, noise, and guests trespassing. But I believe the residents are generally supportive of the Rockwater Resort. I and others are, however, vehemently opposed to the RWR’s attempt to make millions of dollars by densifying this neighbourhood and not following the well-thought-out Halfmoon Bay Official Community Plan.
Celyse McLaren, Halfmoon Bay
