Part of West Porpoise Bay Estates Development in Sechelt to be built on steep slopes of over 30 per cent
Why did the Sechelt council recently approve the West Porpoise Bay Estates Development (six condo buildings of three and four storeys, totalling 80 units) when it contravenes so many of the guidelines and policies of the Official Community Plan?
The planner’s report (p.59 – on) outlines issues regarding the steep slopes on this development site:
“There are aspects of this development proposal that are not in alignment with OCP policy and Development Permit Area (DPA) guidelines due to the nature of the steep slopes. Most of the area falls within 30 per cent and 60 per cent slopes. The OCP limits development at 20 per cent and suggests prohibiting development on slopes over 30 per cent.”
Regarding the density of 80 units: “The development does not meet the policy or guidelines pertaining to the allocation of development density on slopes over 30 per cent.”
The OCP, Bylaw 492, has been in existence since 2010. Why don’t OCP rules apply to this 2017 development plan?
Restrictions on development on steep slopes are there to prevent harm to the natural environment, to protect existing properties and potential homeowners, and to protect taxpayers from damage costs.
How are existing homeowners going to be protected when there will be blasting and excavations of up to 10 metres deep on this development site? Can this council guarantee that holes blasted 33 feet deep will not present any danger to homes or residents of Marine Way who live adjacent to this property, some of them only a few metres from the blasting sites?
Can they guarantee the blasting will not affect the marine environment or the herons and eagles who inhabit the trees on this property?
Can they guarantee taxpayers won’t end up paying if there is a blasting accident which damages the infrastructure? Kudos to councillor McLean for outlining OCP guidelines not met and voting against the development.
Has the Sechelt Council put at risk the safety of current and future residents and their homes by not following many of the OCP guidelines and policies for steep slopes? Only time will tell.
Catherine Calder Concerned Sechelt resident
Cc: Nicholas Simons, MLA
George Heyman, Minister of Environment