A four-building commercial-residential phased development proposal for the Gibsons Way-Mahan Road area has embarked on the rezoning process.
On May 7, council gave the nod for staff to start preparing Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw amendments for Lots A and C of Gibsons Way (between the 101 Brewhouse to the east and City Transfer depot to the west).
The development proposes building one commercial building fronting Gibsons Way, and behind it three residential buildings between five and six storeys tall containing a combined 172 housing units and a daycare space. The area is about 1.65 hectares (four acres).
The requested bylaw changes are to land use designation and density.
Coun. Annemarie De Andrade wanted the bylaw preparations to wait until after the town’s updates to Development Permit Areas 1 (Geotechnical Hazard Areas), 2 (Environmentally Sensitive Areas) and 9 (Gibsons Aquifer) are done later this year, in case those DPAs expand into the building area. (Currently the development requires DPA 3, Upper Gibsons Commercial Area; and DPA 4, Multi-Family Land Uses.)
“This is a huge development,” said De Andrade, “One of the biggest in town, that we will have.” She commented on possible impacts to Charman Creek and drainage.
Director of planning Lesley-Ann Staats said that the development is not in DPA 1; with changes to DPA 2, it may touch some corners of the property; and for DPA 9, residential developments in upper Gibsons don’t typically need the Gibsons aquifer DPA as the aquitard protecting the aquifer is quite thick.
Other council members voiced concern at delaying an already long process, possibly imposing a “road block” and reasoning that the new DPAs would likely be in place before the development gets to the building permit stage.
Council voted to direct staff to prepare the bylaw amendments with De Andrade opposed.
“This isn't even first reading yet,” said Mayor Silas White as the motion carried. “This is a long process, as the developer knows.”
