A rezoning for a 36-unit residential development application at Lot 5 Tower Road passed third reading at the District of Sechelt Oct. 4 regular council meeting.
Silver Valley Homes proposes a mix of single-detached dwellings, duplexes, and townhouses over two hectares.
The bylaw to change the zoning from Rural 1 (RU1) to Rural 3 (Small Lot Residential), Rural 4 (Urban Infill Residential) and Residential Multiple 1 (RM1), received first reading in March and second reading in July.
The proposed community amenity contribution is $162,500, a nine per cent park land dedication on the northeast corner of the property, as well as somewhere around $610,000 in development cost charges.
The public hearing held Sept. 6 garnered three written and three verbal submissions and was attended by 19 people, said the staff report.
President of the West Sechelt Community Association Candice Sayre spoke at the hearing, raising concerns regarding “fire, water, affordability, and sustainability.” Sayre urged the protection of tree cover (staff noted this happens at the development permit stage). Water, conservation development principles and traffic concerns were raised by subsequent speakers.
Coun. Dianne McLauchlan was the sole vote against the third reading, pointing to concerns raised at the public hearing around conservation design and suggested redesigning the project with half the units and green homes.
Coun. Darren Inkster said West Sechelt residents had raised some important concerns around traffic and talked to the need to ensure designed arterial roads are used as such as the population grows.
How truly “affordable” the units would be and what affordable means was a point of discussion but councillors, save McLauchlan, agreed the development would provide much-needed housing.
The rezoning’s next step is adoption.
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