Two alternative approval processes (AAPs) which looked for elector permission to borrow up to a combined $3.56 million for sewer work and water main work closed July 3.
The sanitary sewer outfall project ($825,000 in borrowing) saw 70 response forms submitted; 60 of those were certified as valid and nine were invalid because respondents were located in the SCRD so therefore not eligible electors.
For the watermain and road restoration project for deteriorating water mains on Skyline Drive, Avalon Drive, Allison Way and Shoal Lookout ($2.7 million in borrowing), 69 response forms were submitted and 61 were deemed valid. Seven forms were invalid because respondents lived in the SCRD and one was withdrawn.
As less than 10 per cent of the electorate responded (393 people), the AAPs passed and at the July 9 council meeting, council adopted the borrowing bylaws.
Protecting Stonehurst
The developer of Stonehurst in Lower Gibsons has committed to pursuing a heritage agreement for the historic site, Mayor Silas White announced at the July 23 regular council meeting. The first major step in that is getting a statement of significance, which was attached to the meeting agenda. “I think this is really great news,” said White, noting that preserving the century-old residence is part of council’s strategic plan. The proposal for neighbouring “Billy’s Walk” residences, from proponent architect Frits de Vries (who is also of the Stonehurst project), came forward during the same meeting.
Heritage Building Notes
To clarify the oft-raised but rarely defined attribute “seaside character,” Gibsons Landing Heritage Society compiled a 21-page treatise on the matter, which council adopted as guidelines and for consideration in the official community plan update. Interesting tidbits, there are 20 “significant” buildings in the Gibsons heritage register, 17 of which are in the Landing area, the document says. Resident Fred Inglis shares in the document that the most common house colour in Gibsons in the ‘50s was white with coloured trim.
EV charging
BC Hydro is planning to install eight DC fast charging ports and five Level 2 charging ports for electric vehicles at the Gibsons & Area Community Centre. July 9, Gibsons council authorized staff to enter a licence agreement with BC Hydro for the amenities.
“The DCFCs use up to 184 kW and can bring most vehicles up to 80% charge within 30-40 minutes,” said the staff report, with the charging rate set at $0.3479 per kWh. The Level 2 chargers are slower and the same kind found in Lower Gibsons.
Addressing council concerns about taking up so many parking stalls for the chargers, staff said there’s flexibility to allow general parking in the stalls during large events.
Though there’s no firm timeline for installation, the estimate is the second quarter of 2025.
Facebook toxicity
A June 30 town Facebook post showcasing the freshly painted rainbow sidewalks at Five Corners was the target of hate. Overnight, the post received 467 comments, “most of which were filled with hateful and derogatory language,” communications coordinator Bronwyn Kent shared in her quarterly report. “This was unusual, considering our posts typically receive only 2-5 comments on average, not to mention, our community is usually kind and respectful (except for a couple of individuals).” Kent found the majority of the comments came off Coast–– U.S., Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia––or were from fake accounts. “These accounts often featured content related to guns, anti-vaccine sentiments, conspiracy theories, and extremist views. Many were clearly fake,” she wrote.
As a result, the town’s Facebook policy has been updated, comments have been restricted to accounts that have followed the town for more than 24 hours, comments containing profanity are automatically hidden and many accounts have been blocked.
“This incident is in line with a disturbing trend I've noticed over the past few months on Facebook and Twitter. Mobs of trolls often share a post within their groups, encouraging peers to attack it and create the false impression of widespread disapproval,” Kent noted.
Aquifer reports
Council received and authorised continued works related to several watershed and aquifer reports last month. Among them were changes to Development Permit Area 9 (aquifer protection area) and a mapping aquifer study update. Among the interesting tidbits, the latter found that Aquifer 560 doesn’t extend to Arrowhead Park – or that area of Gibsons. A thick layer of clay explains why the park is wet, even in summer months. The study also mapped where creeks were gaining and losing flow (gaining could mean the aquifer is releasing water and losing could mean the creek is releasing water into the aquifer).
Tree removals
Gibsons issued 45 tree removal permits in the second quarter of 2024: 21 hazardous trees on private land, nine hazardous trees on public land and nine were removed on private lands for development-related reasons, according to staff’s quarterly report.
Filming policy
Last month, Gibsons council adopted new filming regulations, bylaws and fees as the former policy didn’t meet today’s administration requirements and fee opportunities. Three companies have completed shoots in Gibsons this year, according to staff.
OCP
Community engagement for the Gibsons Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw update is set to start in true in the fall, with a campaign running in September and October. A council workshop is planned for September and another is planned for January to present and review the draft framework of the legislation. The schedule puts the OCP refinement complete by next spring, and the Zoning Bylaw complete in fall 2025.
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