District of Sechelt council have given second reading to a zoning amendment for the proposed new location of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 140 in Sechelt, triggering a public hearing.
An amendment to the zoning bylaw is needed so it can operate under the site-specific use of Neighbourhood Pub.
There will be less room at the new site at 5546 Inlet Ave. than at its 5591 Wharf Ave. location and a new design change has made the space slightly smaller still.
Originally a new addition to be located at the back of the existing building was designed to accommodate a 65-seat food and liquor establishment, offices and meeting space at 181 sq. metres.
Sechelt staff noted at the March 3 regular council meeting that the size has dropped to 112 sq. metres, freeing up an additional off-street parking spot.
A representative from the Legion noted that as a non-profit the organization had limited funds available for the project, and decided to reduce the size of the footprint to save on sprinkler system costs.
“If we reduced the size of the building to less than 50 per cent of the existing space, we would save ourselves about $34,000,” he said.
None of the organizations that reviewed the application, including the Advisory Planning Commission and School District No. 46, opposed the amendment.
A variance permit to allow for less parking as well as form and character will be taken into consideration as part of the developmental approval process.
With second reading completed, the district is expected to schedule a public hearing before the zoning amendment comes back to council.
