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Height concerns remain as six-storey development moves to public hearing

Sechelt
Dev sketch
Photo: A Grout McTavish Architects concept drawing of the building proposed for the corner of Wharf Avenue and East Porpoise Bay Road.

Council has given first reading to official community plan and zoning amendments for what would be the tallest building in the area of Wharf Avenue and East Porpoise Bay Road in Sechelt.

The proposal is to merge three lots at that intersection and build a six-storey mixed-use development with 47 residential units and 93 sq. metres (1,100 sq. feet) of commercial space.

The developer is offering community amenities and five units of affordable housing, secured by a housing agreement with the district, in exchange for additional density.

A report from planning staff for the April 18 council meeting also said, “The proposal would help increase affordability in the district overall, by increasing the supply and variety of residential units.”

Coun. Noel Muller did not support giving the application first reading and sending it to public hearing. He noted that the advisory planning commission (APC) did not endorse the proposal, and said he shares the APC’s concerns about height and the impact on views. “I don’t want to hear that view analysis is an afterthought. It’s got to be the beginning of the process,” he said.

Mayor Bruce Milne said he thought there was “much, much to commend this project to Sechelt” and that both the density and the inclusion of three- and four-bedroom units would be a good fit for that area. 

Milne added, though, that since the developer has indicated a willingness to make changes to address height and the impact on views, those changes should have been made before council was asked to move ahead with first reading.

“If they’re going to do that, I think they should do it,” he said. “I’m also concerned about the overall height as it fits into that neighbourhood. But I happen to think that area … is ripe for considerable density and infill housing.”

The public hearing is still to be scheduled, but will likely be in mid-May.