Rezoning of the area around Brothers Park in Gibsons to accommodate a proposed community centre appears to be a non-issue with the residents who will be most affected by the zoning changes.
Gibsons' municipal planner Chris Marshall said not one person has called his office regarding the planned changes.Everyone in the vicinity has been notified of the amendment to the current bylaw, either by hand delivery or by mail, Marshall added.
An open house to discuss the changes to the bylaw drew about 30 people on Monday, March 21. The event was also an opportunity to learn more about the community centre. Gerry Tretick of the Gibsons Area Community Centre, the society spearheading the community centre gave two presentations to interested citizens. One concern expressed at the open house was the skateboard park. A person asked that the skateboard park be moved to the east side of Brothers Park away from the residents' houses because of noise issues.
Parking is also an issue. One resident said that people park on the edge of Park Road, which is dangerous because people back out onto the road.
But for the most part, few concerns of the rezoning were expressed. The majority of the people in attendance were in favour of the rezoning and the community centre. One resident seemed to sum up the feelings of the group with the statement that the community centre is long overdue. "I live across the street and I am totally in support," was the written comment to Gibsons council.
A formal public hearing as part of the zoning bylaw amendment will be held on April 12 at 7 p.m. at municipal hall.
