The proposed land use amendment for a vacant lot at 14 Venture Way passed another milestone at Gibsons council last week.
On Jan. 23, three members of the public joined Gibsons officials in council chambers for a public hearing. The property is currently under two land use designations and split zoning, so the proponent has proposed Official Community Plan and zoning amendments, which would allow the property at Lot 14 Venture Way to be wholly light industrial use and remove the mixed-use commercial designation.
By the time the public hearing began, corporate officer Rebecca Anderson said staff had received four written submissions, with three in support and one in opposition.
One submission said the proposed development would “distract from the existing environment on Venture Way…” and wants the current single-family and two-family residential zoning to be maintained. The letter writer also said “Removing land zoned for residential use from that inventory goes against the Town’s commitment to approve 90 new housing units annually…Therefore, it is obvious that less effort would be required to make more residential land available… if at the same time land zoned for residential use was not being removed from that inventory.”
Other submissions were in favour of a project in the location that will “allow people to establish or relocate smaller, light industrial businesses into the community in a way that will give local access to much needed working space and good paying jobs. The architecture is modest in nature and I feel will be harmonious with the existing neighbourhood.” Another submission stated it will complement the existing live-work buildings.
While no member of the public spoke in person, one speaker shared their opinion via Zoom. Colleen O’Toole said she lives and works at 1000 Venture Way, and while she said it is important to attract and retain light industry, she raised a concern about other uses that could end up in the space. She said she is only opposed because the proposal does not identify ongoing water concerns in the town, nor privacy and light pollution impacts to the neighbouring residential areas.
The proposal received first and second readings from council on Dec. 5. With no other speakers coming forward, the public hearing was adjourned after 13 minutes. At the regular council meeting later the same day, the application received third reading from council.
Coun. Annemarie De Andrade said she appreciates the comments made in the public hearing, and pointed out that previous applications in the area have changed land use from light industrial use to include residential, while this proposal is the opposite in the same area, and is still in line with OCP. De Andrade raised a concern about knotweed, and suggested the proponent contract someone who understands the damage the long-lasting plant can do.
Mayor Silas White said the location is a “completely logical place to encourage light industrial zoning,” and needed for employment and the economy. He added that the proposal sounds people friendly and that he thinks it will be a positive fit in the neighbourhood.
To the concern raised about water, White said, “We have a lot of water in town.” He said there are regional concerns, and the town is actively considering supporting the Sunshine Coast Regional District’s water shortage concerns. The town is also managing its water supply to have enough to support 10,000 people, and White pointed out the population of Gibsons is currently under 5,000. “We do have plenty of water to support this development, and others.”
