Gibsons Mayor Wayne Rowe told councillors Tuesday that the Greenlane Homes proposal to develop Gospel Rock is the best plan he’s seen come forward in 20 years.
Council gave unanimous approval to third reading of the zoning changes needed for Greenlane to build Gospel Rock Village at its June 5 meeting, meaning the final adoption of the bylaw could come before the end of the month.
How, and whether, to allow development at Gospel Rock has been a subject of debate in Gibsons for decades, leading to the eventual passage of the Gospel Rock Neighbourhood Plan in 2012. That plan banned development on the waterfront, and set out a series of goals for protecting other sensitive areas.
“The proposal we have before us not only respects the neighbourhood plan that’s been established by the Town, but in many ways exceeds the requirements for preservation of open space,” Rowe said, adding that the project will also “alleviate” the pressure on housing supply.
Greenlane’s plan for the part of Gospel Rock known as Block 7 calls for a phased development of 360 units, including 36 purpose-built rental apartments, townhouses, single-family homes and commercial space.