Gibsons council has given the final nod to zoning amendments for Eagleview Heights, a development proposed for 464 Eaglecrest Drive.
The project, led by TCD Developments, calls for the land to be built out in three sections with a total of 87 units.
It has also received a significant amount of pushback from neighbours, and the O’Shea - Oceanmount Community Association, which was formed in part because of concerns about the Eagleview Heights proposal.
Councillors acknowledged those concerns at their June 19 meeting, but said they felt the proposal was a better use of the site than a subdivision of single-family homes. They also praised the developer’s willingness to make changes that brought Eagleview Heights in line with the Official Community Plan.
“I believe a certain amount of thoughtful density is the way to go about it… It’s an appropriate development for the site,” said Coun. Jeremy Valeriote.
Coun. Stafford Lumley said that while he would have liked to see the affordable housing “worked out a little bit better,” it remains a project he can support.
“It provides more community area, more greenspace, and makes better use of land,” Lumley said. “The thought that these should be single-family homes just doesn’t provide [enough] housing. As far as I’m concerned, it’s moving backwards.”
Coun. Charlene SanJenko said she reviewed the common concerns raised at the public hearing and after weighing them feels the development “represents forward thinking, green, clustered development using a small footprint.”
Mayor Wayne Rowe, who recused himself from discussions on the application just prior to the public hearing because of a potential conflict of interest, recused himself for the final vote as well, turning the chair over to deputy mayor Silas White.
White echoed the opinion that single-family homes would not be the best use of the land, given the need for more housing options in the Town. He also said one concern raised by neighbours will need to be watched closely in the future.
“I do think the traffic is something we need to watch. I think the traffic impact study is something we need to give a lot of credence to… It’s something council will have to continue to watch as development in this area evolves and if we do have to make other traffic changes, future councils should.”
