Gibsons mayor and council want Gibsons to have the first Habitat for Humanity home on the Sunshine Coast, but they have differing opinions on how to involve the community in the project.
Habitat for Humanity has approached Gibsons council to donate town-owned land to the charity. A home would then be built on the donated land, and a needy family would ultimately own it.
On Oct. 19, council considered possible locations for the home.
Coun. Kenan MacKenzie expressed some frustration with the slow pace at which this matter is proceeding. He was in favour of bringing three town-owned lots, including one on Franklin Road, to a public meeting for discussion.
Coun. Andrea Goldsmith thought that would be a mistake.
The Franklin Road neighbourhood has been a bone of contention for Gibsons council in the past. A few years ago council had to back down from a planned expansion to the existing road because of opposition by the residents.
"We will be shooting ourselves in the foot," Goldsmith said.
She is concerned the entire project may fail if people are not approached in the proper manner. Goldsmith wants to have a complete list of available properties before going to public meetings.
Meanwhile MacKenzie said the project was first brought to council last spring and nothing substantial has been accomplished.He apologized to the representatives from Habitat for Humanity for the delay.
After much discussion, MacKenzie agreed to postpone the issue to the Nov. 2 council meeting, when staff will have a full inventory and assessment of town-owned properties that might be used.
