Area E director discusses recent community idea to close Pratt Road to trucks until extension of Shaw Road is built
(by Margot Grant)
Although Area E director Lorne Lewis could not attend the August 16 protest meeting against plans to use Pratt, Chaster and Rosamund Roads as the only access to the proposed Gospel Rock development, he firmly supports the opposition.
The Gospel Rock development is in Gibsons, while Pratt Road, and parts of Chaster and Rosamund Roads, are in Area E (Elphinstone) of the Sunshine Coast Regional District.
Lewis went to his first Gospel Rock protest meeting in 1982. “At that time, people were upset the area was even going to be considered for development,” he says.
“I have spoken openly against this development on many occasions, and for many years, basically on the same grounds being brought up today. Area E gets none of the benefits, only the problems.”
Since the 1990s, traffic on Pratt Road has greatly increased because of development in Bonniebrook. Activist Susan Rule calculates that the 250 new housing units proposed for Gospel Rock will generate 2,000 extra car-movements a day on Pratt Road, but Lewis thinks the numbers are probably higher: “The developer has also planned commercial spaces which will attract traffic from the town.”
Lewis worries about a large number of construction trucks on Pratt Road, and discusses a recent idea that came up in the community to ask the ministry of transportation and infrastructure to ban trucks from Pratt Road, and possibly Veterans and King Road.
There are pluses and minuses, he notes: if the ban were granted, it would stop all development on Gospel Rock until the extension of Shaw Road [on Gibsons territory] is built, but at the same time, there would be people in Elphinstone who could no longer get aggregate for their septic fields. Private home construction would be impacted, and businesses would have problems with deliveries.
“Banning trucks from Pratt Road would have an impact on ourselves as well,” Lewis says. “Exemptions might be possible, but I don’t know how practical that is.”
The Gospel Rock Neighbourhood Plan states that after 250 housing units are built, Shaw Road would need to be extended to Gospel Rock, which would necessitate a costly bridge across Charman Creek.
The 250-housing unit limit does not encourage the developer to work on a road going north, Lewis says. “He can build 360 units on Block 7. Here is what I think may happen: he will abandon the project when he has built 250 units, because I don’t think there is a profit to be had building the road for another 110 units.”
Lewis is not only an elected official, but also a realtor, and has looked at the development plans for Gospel Rock with a critical eye.
“The developer and the Town of Gibsons need to consider that these units are going to sell much better if there is access straight to the mall and the amenities of Upper Gibsons. With a transit loop, there is no need for two vehicles per household. Gospel Rock Village would be a far superior place to live.”
According to the development application, the nearest bus stop is at the corner of Chaster and Pratt Roads. “That’s quite a walk in the rain, and you know what the lighting is like on that road at night. How is the fire department going to reach the development in case of an emergency? Ambulances would have a hard time getting there if Pratt Road is really busy.”
It makes sense to build the Shaw connector first, Lewis says. “I would support it if the town built that road and the bridge prior to any development, and then would charge developers for it. I think it is the responsible thing to do.
“But as an elected official, I have to acknowledge the town’s autonomy. Gibsons council has the right to decide what gets developed in the town. I can’t speak against these decisions. But I can speak out about how Gibsons council goes about them and how it impacts us.”
The Sunshine Coast Regional District has no role in the development. It can forward the Elphinstone APC comments to the Town of Gibsons, but its council is not required to act on them.
Lewis says he will speak to MLA Nicholas Simons about possible solutions. “This is one of those situations where development is being forced on people. It would be far better to build infrastructure first.”
The development absolutely needs a far better solution to the access question.Why isn’t Mahon road in the discussion?It would eliminate the need for a bridge.and then the access is shared.Is that equitable?A bridge the likes of which needed for the crossing would cost in the multi millions.maybe 10 million or more.its obvious the developer would shy away from that.thats why the Pratt road option is popular for them.they want as much as they can get for as little as possible.it not only forces the development on the residents of area E but I find it disrespectful.it is my opinion that they are not building a community but tearing one apart.its always the lowest common denominator.Money!
No thanks. Mahon Road is an important part of our health and recreation plan in Area E – a well-used walking trail in a community that has next to no recreational amenities.
Just sayin’.
– Michael Maser
Area E resident
it has been surveyed and gazetted and is already a well used road in a couple stretches.It used to be a nice trail.now it is a combination of road and trail that is partly unmaintained by anyone.in at least 2 stretches there is no option but to walk on the road.used by motrocycles,atv’s and horses.prohibited uses.Just sayin’
-Trent Farrell
Area E resident
Right on, Lorne!
There is no question that Gibsons needs housing and we can’t continually block development but I wonder is there anyway to ensure a percentage of the development be affordable or co-housing? In fact we need to make this a requirement for any new development. I think the town of Gibsons and Elphinestone would be more likely to support a project that could house people that are desperately seeking affordable housing in the area.