The redevelopment of a historic Gibsons building will go to public hearing April 25.
Gibsons council gave the proposal to redevelop the Stonehurst property into a boutique hotel and condominium development second reading at its March 7 meeting.
Before the public hearing takes place, proponents, Pacific Ray Developments, are required to host an additional public information meeting on their proposal, which will change their site and the neighbouring town-owned Lot 23, which fronts onto School Road.
Gibsons currently uses a portion of Lot 23 as a public vehicle parking lot. The plan would see the developer purchase the upper portion of the lot and amalgamate that area into its site. The lower lot portion would be redeveloped and redesignated into a town-owned park. The land purchase price is to reflect the current assessed value of the town property.
The two parties have also agreed to the community amenity contributions required from Pacific Ray, which include restoration and obtaining heritage designation for the Stonehurst structure, financial and planning contribution towards the park project and providing the town 16 vehicle parking spaces in its underground parking.
A staff report on the council meeting agenda outlined that the project’s residential portion has been reduced to 22 units from the 26 planned for in 2022. The height of one of the two new residential buildings has been reduced. With fewer units, there is no longer a need for a parking variance for the site.
At the meeting Coun. Annemarie De Andrade expressed concerns that the development is not in compliance with the “Harbour Area” neighbourhood plan building height restrictions.
"I feel this is being completely disregarded" she stated as she proposed a motion to have the proposal adjusted to meet those parameters. The motion was not seconded and did not proceed to a vote.
Details on location or time for the public hearing have yet to be released, as do details about Pacific Ray's public information meeting.
