A plan to build up to 2,300 homes on 119 hectares between Trail Bay Estates and Norwest Bay Road brought out only a handful of residents to comment Sept. 20.
Aplin and Martin Consultants presented the proposed land-use plan for what has been dubbed Special Infill Area No. 1 during an open house at the Sechelt Aquatic Centre Tuesday night.
"I think the people who came out were generally supportive," said planner Maggie Koka. "They [residents] are looking forward to seeing an east/west connector route established and they support going forward with a comprehensive development plan for the area. They don't want to see it done piecemeal."
The lands in question are owned by some well-known families that have been on the Coast for many years. The Clayton family owns 25.48 hectares, the Sangara family 69.44 hectares, the McKenzie family 15.52 hectares and the Brown family 8.72 hectares.
Koka said the families have been working to develop the area since 1997. When asked why it has taken so long to come up with a plan to present to the public for the area, Koka said, "It's a long and complicated process."
Over the years, the property owners have had done engineering reports, a fiscal community impact assessment, a geotechnical assessment, a tree assessment, a storm water management plan, a geology report, an environmental overview report, a transportation policy and road network report, a slope analysis, view potential analysis, rainwater management study, proposed road requirement review, engineering servicing concept and a proposed land use concept plan for the property.
Now they are at the stage where they can show their plans to the public, get feedback and go to council to look for an official community plan (OCP) amendment to move forward with subdivision and rezoning of the lots.
The proposed land use plan for the area calls for major growth with a potential for up to 2,300 homes. Those homes would be a mix of single family, intensive residential and multiple family homes. The plan calls for 30 to 40 per cent multi-family units to be developed.
Integrated into the plan is a new neighbourhood centre for the area and a park of three to four hectares in size. The development would also come with pedestrian trails to link West Sechelt with downtown Sechelt.
Koka said some who attended the open house were concerned about "half-road standards" in the plan, but she noted "that will be remediated through the development process."
Also in the plan is a proposed site for a new school, should it be needed in the future.
Koka said the development would be done in stages starting on the lots closest to Highway 101 once council approval, subdivision and rezoning are complete. Phase one calls for 30 homes to be developed.
Koka said the plan will now go to council with the feedback given at the open house for council's consideration of an OCP amendment.
