A rezoning for a 49-townhouse development at 5875 Reef Road was adopted by Sechelt council on June 19.
The CityState development was passed with water conservation measures as conditions, such as rain gardens and not allowing irrigated lawns.
Ian Holl, Sechelt development planning manager, said the applicant raised concerns over one conservation measure – outdoor water use for landscaping being restricted to non-potable water sources such as rainwater and greywater reuse – arguing that it would be too restrictive for residents.
Holl explained that many of the water conservation measures were centred on managing drainage from surrounding water courses rather than capturing rainwater.
Coun. Alton Toth said he not only supported all of the water conservation measures but was thinking of adding another condition – that no water faucets on the exteriors of buildings be connected to potable water systems.
Referencing another Sechelt development planning to install rainwater tanks for each unit, he said, “I think we're going to be needing to do more of this, not less of it, and I think restricting potable water use outdoors is sensible.”
Coun. Adam Shepherd also supported all of the conservation measures, raising the point that conservation is where the district has control over water issues.
Mayor John Henderson asked about the implications of removing outdoor faucets in the winter or times of the year when water is in abundance.
Toth said, “When we talk about getting treated chlorinated potable water distributed to houses 365 days of the year, I think we need to be looking at how we're using water every day, not just in the summertime when we've got some scarcity going on.”
Coun. Darren Inkster said with the number of approved developments in the district, they may have to start looking at different ways to restrict potable water use or encourage non-potable water use.
All the proposed water conservation measures were endorsed by council, with Henderson opposed saying he believed the other conservation measures would be enough, and Coun. Dianne McLauchlan, who said she didn't believe the restrictions went far enough.
Toth then moved his additional measure – that no water faucets on the exteriors of buildings be connected to potable water systems, which passed with Henderson and McLauchlan opposed.
Jordan Copp is the Coast Reporter’s civic and Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
