Powell River Regional District staff have recommended the proponent of a new wellness centre hold an information meeting with Traffe Road residents about plans for the facility.
Dr. Jacques du Toit is proposing to develop a private health care facility on a 10-acre parcel formerly known as Pebble Beach Farm. The proposed 30-bed facility would eventually re-house the Seaside Wellness Centre for Women, an addiction treatment facility du Toit established in a renovated residential home on Traffe. That project led to strong opposition from neighbourhood residents and eventually a zoning bylaw for the area.
Du Toit has applied for an official community plan (OCP) and zoning bylaw amendment for the new facility. Directors voted at the September regional board meeting to support his application to amend the Area B OCP and the Traffe Road zoning bylaw. The OCP amendment would redesignate the property from Suburban Residential to Institutional, while the zoning bylaw would rezone it from Suburban Residential to Institutional. The property with the existing wellness centre, 7889 Traffe Road, would revert to suburban residential use as soon as the plan for the private health care facility is ready for operation.
The application has stirred a strong public response. Over the past month, the regional district has received a number of phone calls, letters and emails, as well as a petition signed by 29 Traffe Road residents with concerns and questions about the rezoning and the proposed development.
A number of residents made presentations at the October planning committee meeting to express their concerns, which range from an increase of noise and traffic, protecting the riparian area, protecting a tree with an eagle’s nest and protection of aboriginal heritage sites.
Laura Roddan, the regional district’s manager of planning, recommended du Toit hold a public information meeting, because she thought the amendments and the proposed development have to be understood by everyone in the neighbourhood. “If the developer presents his building design and siting and we present the amending bylaws, then we’ll be in a clearer position to move the bylaw forward,” she said.
Roddan also addressed most of the residents’ concerns. She explained there are development permit areas on all riparian areas in Area B, with the provisions set out in the OCP. “When it comes time for the property owner to move forward with the development, he’s aware he needs to apply to the regional district for a development permit,” she said.
Du Toit has already signed an application that he will build outside the riparian area, Roddan said. The site plan locates the building 120 feet away from the riparian area. Du Toit has also entered into an agreement with the Myrtle Creek Stewardship Society to allow the group to continue its work and enhancements on the creek.
The developer has the archaeological impact assessment that was done some years ago on the property and is aware he has to contact the archaeological branch and apply for a heritage site alteration permit, Roddan said.
The proposed facility is two storeys with 30 beds, or units. The proposed amendment is customized to what is being proposed, Roddan added. “That eliminates the ability for unlimited growth of the facility,” she said. “The description of the building is that it is going to be in tune with the natural environment. It’s going to be an upscale health care facility. What they like about the lot is its natural surroundings.”
Roddan has also confirmed with the ministry of transportation and infrastructure that the commercial access permit can be off Highway 101. “The property owner has no intention of even wanting an access road off of Traffe,” she said.
Vancouver Coastal Health has no major concerns with what is being proposed, Roddan also said. “There is good water on the property and both water and sewer servicing are far better than at the current facility.”
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