I was not surprised to see a full-page article in the Peak [“Plans moving forward for residential development in Powell River,” May 22]. I am, however, surprised, actually offended, by the article’s one-sided reporting on the possibility of this development.
The entire article quotes only Jack Barr, CEO of Seaboard Hotels, and gives not one word to the many concerned citizens regarding this rezoning amendment request to the city, and the development as envisioned by Seaboard.
The article only mentions the request to move from RM3 to RM4 zoning, to, as Mr. Barr states, “provide a little more flexibility on how the densification can be laid out.” In fact, RM3 supports all of the same type of housing, but RM4 virtually eliminates green space for units.
Further, besides wanting greater density, the article does not mention that the rezoning application includes a height variance, a parking variance and rerouting of traffic from the current main entrance to Beach Gardens, from Marine, to Lillooet and Westminster. 215 units, at Powell River’s published data, will result in between 430 to 450 people in this complex, and so a substantial number of vehicles. There are already significant traffic issues in this area, Joyce and Marine being the most significant, but not the only issue.
This article, with just this one perspective, also gives no summary of the expenses the city will bear, should this rezoning and development, as it is proposed, come to be.
The article does not give a voice to the many in our community who are questioning this development. The first published objection came April 14, 2025, asking for the first comment and question period to be more than the 12 days allowed by the planning department. These 12 days included Easter and the federal election.
Since this first correspondence to mayor and council, some 15 letters, not just quick comments, have been written to mayor and council and are published on the city website. This correspondence includes a petition signed by 33 citizens in the Cariboo and Westminster Road area. Further, letters to the city and province going back to 1976 were submitted to mayor and council regarding the work over this time to ensure Beach Gardens traffic does not use the Cariboo and Westminster Street entrance. I mention this correspondence, as the Peak’s reporting staff should know are more voices to be heard than Jack Barr’s.
Concerned residents continue to delve deeper into the 184-page report attached to this rezoning application. Letters continue to be written. Citizen meetings are taking place, for example, the 12 people who met at my own home on May 1, 2025.
I do hope the Peak will support a balanced perspective to this important issue. Many of us are available for comment. And of course, you can read all of our letters on the city’s website.
Kathryn Hjorleifson,
Kootenay Place
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