A new initiative to create a community garden in an industrial part of Gibsons received unanimous approval from council at a Dec. 15 committee meeting.
The initiative, a partnership between local businesses Salish Soils and Summerhill Fine Homes, would involve refurbishing a public boulevard at 675 Industrial Way to create a fenced-in area to grow vegetables and fruit trees.
A garden shed, raised beds, trees and a gravel path from Venture Way to Seamount Way would be installed as part of the project.
Pending final approval, trees would be planted before the 2021 growing season. A staff report noted construction already started on the garden shed due to a “misunderstanding” between Summerhill and Town staff.
In their report, staff recommended Summerhill maintain liability insurance of $3 million and name the Town as an insured party, and that the partners meet with staff annually about the project.
Coun. Annemarie De Andrade called it a great proposal in principle, but was concerned about fruit trees attracting bears. She asked who, ultimately, would be responsible for the project.
Infrastructure director Dave Newman agreed the municipality would have to make decisions about whether to maintain the trees in the long term. Summerhill and Salish Soils would “ultimately” be the initiators and the responsible party, he said.
Coun. David Croal said he was “very supportive of the project” overall and “as long as people go into it with their eyes wide open, the pros for the project way outweigh the cons.” He suggested the Town consider it a pilot project in case it could be replicated elsewhere.
Coun. Aleria Ladwig said she “loved the project,” but was also concerned about bears. “It would be good to know the fencing we put in is durable enough to keep the bears out,” she said. She also asked for a progress report to be submitted to council in addition to staff.
Mayor Bill Beamish called it a “great initiative,” and asked that the project include signage to inform the community.
Newman noted the industrial area “isn’t particularly attractive in its current form” and other areas could be made more beautiful with similar projects.
Coun. Stafford Lumley asked whether the group would be asking for a tax exemption.
Beamish said there would be encroachment on Town land for the purposes of the demonstration garden and would not be a part of the industrial footprint.
Councillors unanimously supported the staff recommendations and also asked staff to provide a progress report to council.
