Where once there were two lots, there could be 12. A zoning amendment for 5556/5558 Nickerson Road was given third reading at Sechelt’s Feb. 2 council meeting.
Before the amendment gets final approval, proponent Everbrite Ventures needs to pay Sechelt $35,000 in community amenity contributions and the bylaw needs the okay from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI).
Should the bylaw pass, the project also needs subdivision and development permit approvals.
Changes to the proposed bylaw ahead of its third reading included reduced the maximum height for buildings on the potential new lots from 10.5 to 8.5 meters. Building floor areas would be restricted to no more than 160 square meters, with 100 square meters allowed on the first floor and 60 on any second storey.
Staff made those adjustments in response to comments received at a Dec. 15 public hearing. Nineteen people, including several residents of the neighbourhood, attended. They expressed concerns about the effects of increased housing density and the fit of the proposed small lot subdivision with existing larger properties. The views were similar to those voiced by other West Sechelt lot owners during discussions of rezoning for the proposed Mills Road townhome site. (Rezoning for that project sits at third reading as of Jan. 19.)
In his report in support of third reading, development planning manager Ian Holl said that issues raised that the hearing about road width, on-street parking, vehicle turnaround, and tree protection would be addressed if the proposal moves to the subdivision process.
New Wharf Avenue sidewalks by May 31
The area around Highway 101’s southern entrance to downtown Sechelt will have a new look and be more pedestrian friendly by June. Council awarded Coast-based NB Contracting a contract for improvements at the site valued at $424,419.52, plus GST. A new sidewalk, curb and gutter, streetlights and storm sewer will be installed along the west side of Wharf, between Cowrie and Dolphin streets. Parallel parking spots will replace the existing angle parking, eliminating the issues associated with vehicles backing out into highway traffic.
Once work commences, updates on the project and related traffic disruptions will be shared on Sechelt’s social media channels.
During debate, Mayor Darnelda Siegers asked if MOTI’s proposed future expansion to two Highway 101 turning lanes coming into downtown Sechelt was considered in the project’s design. She indicated that she had been advised that change could be coming in the next five to 10 years.
Manager of municipal construction and infrastructure renewal Sanath Bandara said that the Ministry approved the design. He said to add a second highway turn lane, MOTI would have to secure property from the adjacent landowners. In addition, a portion of the parking lane would need to be taken over.
Coun. Tom Lamb inquired about budgeting for archeological work. Director of engineering Kirn Dhillon explained that the project involves relatively shallow excavation work. He said he is not anticipating that this initiative will face the level of costs or delays related to archeological requirements that Sechelt encountered with the Trail Avenue project.
Bandara reported that all project costs, including design and archeological work will be covered by grants with $685,074 secured for the project through the BC Active Transportation Infrastructure program, the Island/Coastal Communities Economic Trust and the Canada Community Building (gas tax) fund.
RCMP detachment commander recruitment
Mayor Siegers announced that local RCMP Staff Sgt. Poppy Hallam, who has been away from her post on medical leave, will not be returning to the Sunshine Coast detachment. Siegers said that recruitment for a new detachment commander has started and that she and Gibsons Mayor Bill Beamish planned to be involved in the selection process.
Operations Centre DCC debate
The development permit for the $3 million Parks and Public Works Operations Centre project located at 5400 Dusty Road was approved. Coun. Alton Toth questioned whether Sechelt should pay development cost charges (DCC) for roads and drainage to itself for this development or waive those costs to save project funds. Director of planning Andrew Allen said that staff are looking into the waiver option and whether a portion of applicable DCC costs were paid through past development at the site. Staff will report back to council on the subject before the centre’s building permit is issued and DCCs are payable, he said.
In his report to council, senior development planner Sven Koberwitz noted that the project design was tweaked to incorporate Advisory Planning Commission recommendations. Those included adding a stormwater retention pond, installing conduits to allow the addition of solar panels and EV charging stations in the future, and more drought resistant landscaping.
Decision on racing 'drags' into March
According to Coun. Matt McLean “there are a lot of people waiting on “tenterhooks” for council’s decision on the Sunshine Coast Drag Racing Association’s request for use of the airport in 2022. They will be waiting at least another month, as director of engineering Dhillon indicated at the meeting that staff are assembling information for a report which he anticipates will come to council in March.
Off-leash dog park changes
With the opening of the new Ebbtide Street off leash dog park slated for May, Coun. McLean said he has heard from a group of owners of larger breed dogs that they would like to continue to use the more expansive space at Kinnikinnick Park to exercise their pets. Council agreed to invite that group to appear as a delegation at an upcoming meeting. Dhillon said that although the majority of pet owners are responsible, there are those who allow their animals to damage the playing fields at Kinnikinnick, which increases park maintenance costs.
Coun. Toth said that there was little that Sechelt can do to stop people from allowing their dogs on the playing field. “We can ban dogs from the fields, which will stop the responsible dog owners, but not the irresponsible ones. I am not interested in putting in regulations we have no intention of enforcing.”
Engineering required for retaining walls
Council adopted amendments to its building bylaw requiring property owners to obtain a field review and other documentation from a registered professional before constructing or repairing retaining wall systems with an individual or combined height of over 1.2 meters. The bylaw update is in keeping with the current edition of the BC Building Code and guidelines from the Engineers and Geoscientists of BC.
