(by Margot Grant) The urban planners working for owner Ji Yongqiang want development on Block 7 of Gospel Rock to be located on the north side of the parcel, at the end of Chaster Road. Contrary to the Neighbourhood Plan, the land in front of the Cross on the Rock would not be developed. The main road into Block 7 as proposed in the Plan would not be built.
A high-density area with four-storey apartments and condos is now planned near the edge of the property, set around a village-square–like green space with possibly a restaurant and a few small stores.
Two-storey single-family homes are planned along two cul-de-sacs in the direction of the Cross on the Rock.
Senior urban planner Edward Porter and community development planner Rob Barrs, both of public engagement company MODUS in Vancouver, met with representatives of the Friends of Gospel Rock, For the Love of Gospel Rock, and the Sunshine Coast Conservation Association on Tuesday at the Daffadowndilly Gallery in Gibsons Landing to discuss their plans for Block 7.
“We went there [to Block 7] and could almost sense the spiritual importance of the place,” Porter said. “When I walked the trail, I realized that the Neighbourhood Plan does not reflect the importance of the view, and that it dedicates practically no green space near the Rock and the pool. So Rob and I went back to the owner to talk about significant changes.”
The planners are proposing a larger protected area around the Cross and Little Africa.
“The owner has given his blessing to showing you this concept. It is not set in stone,” Porter said.
When asked if the community would meet owner Ji, the planners were doubtful. He lives abroad most of the time and is here only on occasion, they said.
At the town’s request, Barrs and Porter looked at widening Gower Point Road along Block 7 to make the road safer and provide for a bicycle path. Widening might require blasting.
Dan Bouman, chairperson of the Friends of Gospel Rock, found the prospect “alarming.” “Would you give up ecologically valuable land for bicycles?” he asked.
Barrs said that nothing has been decided yet. Bouman suggested that if the town wanted to make the road safer, it could bring down the speed limit. Pat Ridgway proposed the idea of a boardwalk along the water side of the road.
The planners said that the fence around Block 7 will be removed.
Nancy Gaudry of For the Love of Gospel Rock asked if the owner would be open to selling the property to a nature conservancy.
“The owner has bought Block 7 and his interest is in developing part of Block 7,” Barrs replied. “He is not interested in selling it, not even for a large sum of money. His intention is to develop a condo-townhome product. This is the best that can be done. He has spent a lot of money. [But] he is open to development in a sensitive way.”
“This land should be undeveloped forever,” Gaudry said.
A woman asked how local residents could be sure the housing units would be available to them at affordable prices. “We don’t want Gospel Rock to be a place to park money.”
Barrs said he would make a note of it.
The waterfront part of the property is designated as green space, the planners said. The actual rock on the waterfront will be a small public park.
Bouman asked how the green spaces in the project will be protected. “If we can possibly put in covenants, that would be great,” Barrs said. “If not on paper, it’s vapour,” Bouman replied. “Developers can come here, invest in elections, and do what they want.”
The consultants said they will organize a public meeting at the end of April before a development application goes to town council. After the application, an open house will be held, and if the town wants to proceed with the application, a public hearing will follow.
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