A snowstorm didn’t stop the seats from filling at the Jan. 17 Sechelt council meeting when representatives of the development community attended to address a supposed moratorium placed over development in the district.
Andrew Allen, director of planning and development clarified that development applications are not frozen. “There is no moratorium on development,” he said after frustrated local developers warned that the halt would interrupt business and economics on the Coast.
“The indecision leading to the poor resource management of money, people, water and time must pivot immediately to a culture of urgency and service,” Kai Jenkins, CEO of Jenkins Construction said. “We need decisions not delays.”
Allen said that based on communications with the Sunshine Coast Regional District (which provides Sechelt’s water), Sechelt will not be issuing servicing agreements for subdivisions as well as larger buildings – like Greenecourt and Telus Living – for a short time. However, the service agreements for major developments Greenecourt and Telus Living are already issued, Allen clarified.
Because the SCRD brought the issue forward, Sechelt is following its direction and ultimately it is the SCRD's decision how long the halt on issuing servicing agreements will last, Sechelt communications manager Lindsay Vickers clarified in an email to Coast Reporter.
“We want to ensure that there is fireflow protection for those large buildings,” said Allen at the meeting. “So for a very short period of time, we will not be issuing servicing agreements, which is respecting connection to municipal services, including regional water.
“But it is not the same as a moratorium on development.”
In a later interview, Bruce Mason of Westcor Lands – one of the developers who spoke at the meeting – disagreed with Allen’s characterization of the situation.
Mason said that servicing agreements are an integral part of the development process, where utilities such as pipes, water, electricity, sidewalks and street lamps are approved – and that by ceasing to issue these agreements the district has effectively halted development in the district.
“Technically, they're not stopping development, but they are not allowing development to go forward,” Mason said.
Vickers clarified to Coast Reporter that work on development applications continues. “Planning activities and development review under the purview of the District of Sechelt are continuing at this time. This includes processing development permit applications, issuing building permits and inspections and progressing through the servicing agreement review process,” she said.
Mayor John Henderson wrapped up the discussion at the council meeting by saying he will meet with Allen to discuss the points brought up, and will formally respond those who spoke out with their concerns in the next week.
Jordan Copp is the Coast Reporter’s civic and Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
