Editor:
Are we done with the seaside village character for our Town? Is it time to redefine the vision for Gibsons in a way that embraces new, more modern architecture?
In 2009, the United Nations-endorsed International Awards for Liveable Communities (LivCom) handed Gibsons the Gold Award in the “Whole City” category for best community with a population of less than 20,000.
The CBC reported at the time that the town was in jeopardy and at risk of losing its special appeal. “Builders are fighting to turn the lush mountainside into luxury condos for retirees from Vancouver,” it reported. Is that what’s in store for the cherished Town of Gibsons?
A recent development proposal seems to be bringing the CBC forecast into reality. Luxury apartment block condos have been proposed for the Eaglecrest Drive neighbourhood – turning that lush mountainside piece of property into a housing project that appears to have little in common with a seaside village look. The developer states its three-storey condos have a “modern West Coast flair.” That’s marketing speak for urban looking flat roofed condo apartments. The Town’s Advisory Planning Commission (APC) voiced no real objections to the West Coast modern look of the project.
Another application recently filed for a 17-unit condo apartment block on School Road came to the APC for their comments. It was another ultra modern looking condo building with a slightly slanted flat roof. I was intrigued as the Commission struggled with the meaning of the term “seaside village character.” Is it unclear?
Perhaps it’s time for us to define more clearly what we, the citizens of Gibsons and its officials mean when we say “seaside village character.” What do you think the term means?
William Baker, Gibsons
