Sechelt public meetings in 2023

Advisory Planning Commission

The Advisory Planning Commission reviewed two rezoning applications for more affordable housing. The commission supported both proposals, while providing specific recommendations for the Reef Road development regarding fire access and accessibility.

• Supported 5875 Reef Road rezoning as compatible with OCP (Carried)
• Recommended 5875 Reef Road developer revisit fire access route with Fire and Building departments (Carried)
• Recommended 5875 Reef Road developer consider including adaptable units (Carried)
• Recommended 5875 Reef Road developer reconcile easement with development footprint (Carried)
• Encouraged 5875 Reef Road applicant to review DPA 7 and 8 guidelines for shading, EV charging, and passive cooling (Carried)
• Agreed Mills Road rezoning meets OCP intent (Carried)
• Supported Mills Road rezoning application (Carried)

Regular Council

Council approved a funding request for housing growth and a series of land-use action plans. They also granted several community forest grants and advanced rezoning for apartment developments.

• Endorsed $12.95M Housing Accelerator Fund application and target of 227 new units per year
• Approved four $30,000 Sunshine Coast Community Forest Legacy Fund grants
• Approved first reading of rezoning for 89 apartment units at 5700 East Porpoise Bay Road
• Approved third reading of rezoning for 109 apartment units at 5535 Shorncliffe Avenue
• Approved five-year RCMP Occupancy Agreement for 5800 Teredo Street
• Approved $16,000 for Operations Centre workshop bay paving
• Approved recommendation for a Peer Assisted Care Team via CMHA-BC
• Adopted new Council Code of Conduct Bylaw 619 and Remuneration Amendment Bylaw 608-1

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole approved a requirement for the developer of 5700 East Porpoise Bay Road to host a public information meeting. The developer must also provide several technical reports before the rezoning application for 89 apartment units can proceed to a second reading.

• Approved requirement for public information meeting regarding 89 apartment units at 5700 East Porpoise Bay Road (Carried, Councillor McLauchlan opposed)
• Approved requirement for applicant to provide Water Supply Demand Reduction and Conservation Report, Transportation Impact Assessment and Parking Study, Preliminary Servicing Report, Shadow Study, and Community Amenity Contribution Offer Letter (Carried, Councillor McLauchlan opposed)
• Adopted the meeting agenda (Carried)

Public Hearing

The District of Sechelt conducted a public hearing to receive input on the proposed Official Community Plan (OCP) Amendment Bylaw No. 492-33 for 5535 Shorncliffe. No vote was taken or decision reached during this meeting.

Regular Council

Council approved an increase of one municipal RCMP member contingent on the Province providing four additional provincial members. Several rezoning applications were advanced or adopted, and a strata title conversion for Habitat for Humanity was approved.

• Approved principle of increasing RCMP funded members from 12 to 13 for 2024/2025 (contingent on provincial approval)
• Adopted Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 580-1, 2023 for 6401 Apple Orchard Road
• Gave second reading to Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 580-6, 2023 for 5535 Shorncliffe Ave
• Gave second reading to Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 580-5, 2022 for Lot 5 Tower Road
• Approved Phase 7 of strata plan BCS4293 for Habitat for Humanity
• Approved modification to Sechelt Airport Lease Agreement to add Doug Spani and remove Eric and Patricia Scott
• Supported establishment of Sunshine Coast Regional Accessibility Advisory Committee
• Appointed Pat Dalgleish and Patrick Pouponneau to Sechelt Community Safety Select Committee

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole amended the Airport Development Select Committee Terms of Reference to allow up to seven members. Council appointed several members to the committee and directed staff to advertise for two additional members.

• Amended Airport Development Select Committee Terms of Reference to include up to seven members (Carried; Opposed: McLauchlan, Inkster)
• Approved Selena Bell and Chris Georgas to continue as members of the Airport Development Select Committee (Carried; Opposed: McLauchlan, Inkster)
• Appointed Eric Scott and Thomas Bramble to the Airport Development Select Committee (Carried; Opposed: McLauchlan, Inkster)
• Approved advertising for two additional members to the Airport Development Select Committee (Carried; Opposed: Inkster, McLauchlan)
• Denied motion to defer Airport Development Select Committee item and advertise for new members (Defeated; Opposed: Henderson, Bell, Rowe, Shepherd)

Regular Council to Closed

Council defeated a request to add a rezoning application for 5535 Shorncliffe Avenue to the agenda. The meeting then proceeded to a closed session and was adjourned.

• Denied amendment to include rezoning application for 109 apartment units at 5535 Shorncliffe Avenue
• Adopted the agenda as presented
• Approved moving the meeting into closed session

Sechelt Community Safety Select Committee

The committee reviewed the terms of reference and discussed operational updates for Rain City housing and community patrols. No formal votes were recorded; the meeting focused on coordinating feedback and identifying needs for unhoused residents and security.

• Established [email protected] for public feedback
• P. Pouponneau to invite Rain City employee to next meeting
• S. Ramsey to bring needle collection data to next meeting
• L. Reid to investigate obtaining fire extinguishers for unhoused community training
• B. Rowe to meet with DoS Manager of Communications regarding public email sharing

Regular Council

Council approved several equipment and HVAC upgrades funded by the COVID 19 Safe Restart Grant. They also authorized additional funding for a sewer outfall project and expanded the sewer service area to include the TELUS Marina.

• Approved $150,000 for Operations Centre generator (CARRIED)
• Approved $42,000 for Operations Centre shop bays equipment (CARRIED)
• Approved $45,000 for HVAC upgrades at Municipal Hall, RCMP, and Justice Services buildings (CARRIED)
• Approved $70,000 additional funding for Outfall Remediation project and awarded $281,250 contract to Can Dive Construction Ltd. (CARRIED)
• Supported joint application by SCRD and shishalh Nation for Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (CARRIED)
• Adopted Sewer Local Service Area Amendment Bylaw No. 393-3 to add 5981 Sechelt Inlet Road (CARRIED; Opposed: Councillor McLauchlan)
• Supported Sunshine Coast Resource Centre Do a Kindness Awareness Campaign (CARRIED)
• Approved letter of support for Elphinstone Aeroclub Capital Project Gaming Grant (CARRIED)

Special Council to Closed

The Special Council meeting was convened to move into a closed session. No substantive decisions were recorded in the public minutes.

• Adopted the agenda (Carried; Opposed: Councillor McLauchlan)
• Approved closing the meeting to the public pursuant to Sections 90 (1), (k) and (l) of the Community Charter (Carried; Opposed: Councillor McLauchlan)

Advisory Planning Commission

The Advisory Planning Commission recommended that Council approve a development permit and requested variances for tourist accommodation at 5591 Delta Road. The commission expressed overall satisfaction with the proposal, including the use of native plants in the landscaping.

• Adopted the agenda (Carried)
• Adopted May 2, 2023 meeting minutes (Carried)
• Recommended Council approve Development Permit and variances for tourist accommodation at 5591 Delta Road (Carried)

Annual General Meeting

The District of Sechelt held its Annual General Meeting to review the 2022 Annual Report. Staff presented departmental highlights regarding finance, infrastructure, and planning. No bylaws were considered during the meeting.

• Adopted the amended Agenda (Res. No. 2023-06C-1)
• Considered the 2022 Annual Report pursuant to Section 99 of the Community Charter (Res. No. 2023-06C-2)

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole received a progress report on the Transportation Master Plan and an update on the implementation of the Short-Term Rental program. No new bylaws were passed, and no new business was introduced.

• Adopted the meeting agenda (Carried)
• Received the Transportation Master Plan Progress Update report (Carried)
• Adjourned the meeting at 4:41 pm (Carried)

Regular Council

Council gave second reading to rezoning for a 109-unit apartment complex at 5535 Shorncliffe Avenue and adopted a new Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw. Other actions included approving liquor service hours for Brickers Cider Co. and appointing a Deputy Corporate Officer.

• Approved liquor service hours (11am-9pm) and no music after 8pm for Brickers Cider Co. (Opposed: McLauchlan)
• Submitted ministerial meeting requests for 2023 UBCM Convention
• Approved 2022 Statement of Financial Information for submission
• Appointed Tracy Forster as Deputy Corporate Officer
• Approved filing notice on title for building bylaw contravention at 5558 Wakefield Road
• Gave second reading to rezoning for 109 apartment units at 5535 Shorncliffe Avenue (Opposed: McLauchlan)
• Adopted Building Bylaw Amendment No. 409-11 for energy efficiency
• Adopted Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 611, 2023

Sechelt Community Safety Select Committee

The committee created a public email address for community safety inquiries and a new website page. Members received updates on Rain City and BC Housing site progress and discussed the need for more social service resources on the Sunshine Coast.

• Created public email address [email protected]
• Established a new website page for community safety
• Tabled review of Terms of Reference to July 10th meeting
• Tabled review of Morden Consultants meet and greet minutes to July 10th meeting

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole approved requests for ministerial meetings at the 2023 Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Convention. The District will also invite the Town of Gibsons, Sunshine Coast Regional District, and shishalh Nation to attend these meetings.

• Approved meeting requests for the 2023 UBCM Convention with the Ministries of Transportation and Infrastructure, Health, Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation, Education and Child Care, Housing, and Mental Health and Addiction
• Approved invitations for the Town of Gibsons, Sunshine Coast Regional District, and shishalh Nation to attend the scheduled UBCM Minister meetings
• Adopted the meeting agenda

Regular Council

Council approved a $50,000 security patrol pilot for downtown and granted second reading to a rezoning application for 117 townhouses at 5981 Shoal Way. Additional funding was approved for the Snickett Park Washroom project, and a development permit for tourist accommodation at 5591 Delta Road was issued.

• Approved up to $50,000 for a three-month downtown security patrol pilot
• Issued Development Permit 3060-2023-13 for tourist accommodation at 5591 Delta Road
• Approved $83,000 in additional funding for Snickett Park Washroom project (total $465,500)
• Approved 2024 Budget Process Schedule
• Deferred 2022 Sublease of Kirkland House with Sunshine Coast Hospice Society
• Approved 2023-2025 lease for Restorative Justice Program at Rockwood Lodge
• Gave second reading to OCP and Zoning amendments for 117 townhouses at 5981 Shoal Way
• Adopted Council Code of Conduct Bylaw No. 619 and Remuneration Amendment Bylaw No. 608-1

Regular Council

Council awarded road improvement contracts for Inlet Avenue and the West Porpoise Bay Bike BC Project. They also passed three readings for a new Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw and an energy efficiency amendment to the Building Bylaw. A rezoning application for a 167-unit housing project was referred to external agencies for feedback.

• Referred The Trails 167-unit housing rezoning application to SCRD, shishalh Nation, and Vancouver Coastal Health for feedback
• Approved Development Permits for 12-lot subdivisions at 5556/5558 Nickerson Road and 5112 Chapman Road
• Approved Development Variance Permit 2023-01 for an accessory building at 4980 Laurel Avenue
• Approved $34,984 increase for the 2023 Sechelt Public Library budget
• Awarded $892,030 contract to Maycon Construction Management for West Porpoise Bay Bike BC Project
• Awarded $1,108,000 contract to NB Contracting Ltd for Inlet Avenue Road Improvement
• Approved three-year licence for two street patios on Cowrie Street for Sechelt Downtown Business Association
• Passed three readings of Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 611, 2023

Sechelt Community Safety Select Committee

The committee conducted four focus groups with council, business owners, housing advocates, and community service providers. Participants discussed challenges including crime, vandalism, and a lack of detox and mental health resources. No formal votes or policy decisions were recorded.

Special Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole met to discuss water availability and its impact on fire protection services. No substantive policy decisions were made; the meeting consisted of reports from the Sechelt Fire Protection District and the Sunshine Coast Regional District.

• Approved adoption of agenda (Carried)
• Approved adjournment of meeting at 6:00 pm (Carried)