Similar to the mixed views of the Halfmoon Bay Advisory Planning Commission submitted to the Sunshine Coast Regional District’s committee of the whole on variance requests for a Cove Beach property, the directors recommended one of two variance requests be considered. Being forwarded for board consideration on Oct. 10, is recommended approval of an increase from 15 to 20.5 percent maximum lot coverage for 7531 Cove Beach Road.
At the Sept. 26 committee meeting, there was a unanimous lack of support by directors for a request from the owner of that parcel to reduce the oceanfront setback by half to 7.5 metres to allow for the construction of a pool, on a lot within a gated community along Redrooffs Road.
Before making a motion to deny both requests, Area B director Justine Gabias, stated that the subject property is “highly visible” from the adjacent Sargeant Bay Provincial Park and has impacts wider than its immediate neighbourhood, which did not object to the proposed changes. In her view, “it doesn’t look like other options were considered” in planning for development of the lot other than asking to vary the rules.
In the words of Area B director Kelly Backs, “the oceanfront is public domain” and he indicated he did not support varying the setback from the Salish Sea.
Options for committee consideration
Backs asked staff if the committee could recommend consideration of the lot coverage variance request but recommended the board not consider the setback change. He indicated that the lot coverage increase would allow for a secondary residence to be built on the site, which he felt was a positive, in light of the area’s need for housing. Given that the roof overhangs on structures were designed to provide shading, a passive way of keeping buildings cooler in summer, allowing a higher percentage of coverage in this case could be supported, he stated.
Staff indicated that making separate recommendations on the two requests was allowed and that was how the directors proceeded.
Staff were also questioned by the committee on options for the lot owner should one or both of the variance requests not receive board approval. It was indicated the owner could apply to the Board of Variance for relief based on “hardships” related to developing the property, an application to re-zone the property could be submitted, or the lot development could proceed, adjusted to fit the restrictions of its current zoning.
Members of the public were given an opportunity to make comments for the committee’s consideration, but no statements were made.
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