BC Housing’s proposed supportive housing project on Hightide Avenue in Sechelt is nearing final approval after getting second and third reading by council on June 6.
Planner Angela Letman told councillors that they heard concerns about density, the impact of a supportive housing project on property values, traffic and parking during the public hearing, along with general support for going ahead with the project because it meets a need in the community.
Letman said realigning the parking spaces to allow the perpendicular pattern to continue all along Hightide would create more parking.
The district would also require a housing agreement to ensure the units remain affordable housing.
“It’s remarkable how much has changed in the last 12 months,” said Mayor Bruce Milne. “A big turnaround in terms of our connection with BC Housing and a very solid response from our community in terms of getting that part of the affordable housing at least underway.”
The BC Housing project is one of three social housing projects in the works in Sechelt.
The Lions Housing Society has now applied for the official community plan (OCP) and zoning amendments needed for the next phase of the redevelopment of Greenecourt, which would involve a new five-storey building with 104 apartment units on the site of the existing cottages.
The application has been sent out for referrals and is on the agenda for the June 28 meeting of the advisory planning commission.
The Sunshine Coast Community Services Society, meanwhile, is in what it calls “the early planning stages” for a new community services centre that would include affordable housing designed for women and children.
It would consist of 30 to 35 housing units along with “a redeveloped Community Services space that is purpose built and better able to accommodate our programs and continue to meet current and emerging community needs.”
The organization held an open house May 29, and according to information on its website, 34 people attended and filled out a survey.
Community Services hopes to have approval to go ahead with the project by the fall.
