qathet Regional District’s planning committee is recommending the regional board advise the provincial ministry of transportation and infrastructure that it supports a proposed 28-lot bare land strata subdivision in the Sarah Point area.
At the August 10 planning committee meeting, directors made the recommendation for the subdivision at 14445 Sarah Point Road, subject to proof of water and sewer servicing on each of the proposed lots from Vancouver Coastal Health, that the applicant pay funds to the regional district in lieu of park dedication, and that the applicant enter into a covenant with the regional district to protect the riparian area.
Regional directors heard from proponent Jeff Levine in a delegation, who said he wanted to thank the planning committee for bringing the proposal to the meeting.
“We believe we’ve committed a fulsome, complete package and we’ve reviewed the planning department’s summary, and we think that accurately describes our intention,” said Levine. “We look forward to working with the regional district as we move this project to the next stage.”
Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne asked Levine if there was any discussion with regard to potential parkland acquisition, or was the discussion only regarding funds in lieu of parkland.
Levine said he enquired about parkland dedication, and through the planning department staff, they advised that parkland acquisition has to be consistent with the official community plan (OCP).
“Within the OCP there is no area they wanted as parkland within our property,” said Levine. “They said they preferred, as per policy in the bylaws, to ask for five per cent cash in lieu of parkland dedication.”
Gisborne expresses concern
During discussion on the recommendation, Gisborne said he wanted to express some concern he had in relation to parkland acquisition. He said that as the committee heard from the delegate, the acquisition of parkland is based on the OCP.
“The official community plan for Electoral Area A states the owner shall provide cash in lieu of the land as provided under the Local Government Act, unless the subject property contains land identified as an area of park or trail interest in the regional district’s parks and greenspace plan,” said Gisborne. “What does the parks and greenspace plan state? The regional district’s policy with respect to the acquisition of land for regional parks or community parks is: areas identified as environmentally sensitive development permit areas, or wildlife habitat, may be acquired as natural parks. These parks will be used and managed in a manner that will preserve their sensitive or unique features.”
Gisborne said looking at a pertinent map or the parks and greenspace plan, it appears the proposed lot has sections identified as riparian in the parks and greenspace plan. He said, however, they are quite a ways north of most of the other developed areas, so he wouldn’t be all in favour of acquiring those parklands.
“However, I do find it a little misleading to be telling the applicant that the regional district would not require any parkland when it appears that in the OCP, and parks and greenspace plan, that we could,” said Gisborne.
Chair calls point of order
At that point, a point of order was called by Electoral Area A director and board chair Patrick Brabazon, who said he objected to any director suggesting staff has misled anybody.
Planning committee chair and Electoral Area C director Clay Brander said he agreed with Brabazon.
Gisborne said he apologized because he was not calling into question any of the staff’s work, he was just pointing out that the OCP and parks and greenspace plan do identify parkland acquisition in the area.
The planning committee carried the motion regarding the recommendation to the regional board.
After the meeting, Levine said he was excited about the opportunity.
“We worked hard to ensure the subdivision met all requirements and in the spirit of the OCP for the Electoral Area A,” said Levine. “We requested no variances or changes from the land use plan in the OCP.”
“We are looking forward to working with the community and local trades in bringing this idea into reality.”
