Sechelt council gave its approval this week to build a six-storey, 107-unit development on the waterfront.
Council gave final readings to bylaw changes at its March 2 meeting. Councillors Warren Allan, Alice Janisch were opposed to the readings.
Pacific Spirit Properties aims to sell 30 per cent of their units before they start to build on the lot they purchased on the corner of Inlet Avenue and Teredo Street. The development will be split into two stepped buildings of five and six storey heights with a retail component on the bottom floor and a large green space between the two buildings.
Forty per cent of the site is deemed as public space in the plan council endorsed at the Feb. 23 committee of the whole meeting. The middle green space will include a "public plaza" as well as viewing ponds that will capture and recirculate water needed for the development. The plan calls for use of rock, wood and coloured concrete in the building design, as well as extensive landscaping that will endeavor to save nine native trees on site.
Pacific Spirit Properties plans to have 167 covered parking stalls, as well as 16 plug-in spaces for electric vehicles and 30 to 40 stalls for bikes in a secured storage site.
Most councillors seemed happy with the plan when it was discussed Feb. 23.
"I think this is our opportunity - instead of just talking about economic development and job creation, this is our chance to really show that we do support it and that we appreciate people coming forward with really good proposals like this, so I will move the recommendation," said Coun. Ann Kershaw.
All but councillors Allan and Janisch were in favour of issuing the development permit.
Janisch said she would not support it because she saw the development as a "massive building that does not fit the community."
Traffic fines
Councillors agreed to spend $88,935 of the traffic fine revenues collected by the District to support the community justice program, the RCMP, Crime Stoppers, the community resource centre, a youth outreach worker and the skateboard park.
The community justice program received a grant of $10,000; Community Resource Centre $750; Crime Stoppers $3,000; Sunshine Coast RCMP $10,000 to support victim services; RCMP-managed standing programs $30,000; youth outreach worker $20,185; and skateboard park maintenance $15,000.
Visitors Centre
The Sechelt Visitors Centre will be run by the Sunshine Coast Community Services Society for the next five years. The society was the successful bidder of a request for proposals (RFP) process.
Community Services got the highest marks in their RFP for their experience and customer service, and their demonstrated ability to provide a full range of integrated services and to fulfill the District of Sechelt's business and operational requirements.
