Current Development in Halfmoon Bay, with reference to the Official Community Plan.
I am very concerned about the level of development/deforestation/environmental destruction going on in Halfmoon Bay. I have read the Official Community Plan, and am, quite frankly, wondering where these authors/proponents/SCRD are…in the protection of our community. Words mean nothing. “Cove Beach,” then the atrocity of deforestation during nesting season right across the street, and blasting of million year-old boulders. Now, deforestation above Coopers Green. Where is the runoff going to go? The wildlife? More washouts? Where was the invitation for community input? Not all of us are on Facebook. I am very disillusioned with the process, and very disheartened when I see the number of logging trucks that pass me each day. Please. Enough with “Advisory Councils.” Walk the talk and protect this beautiful area.
Uli Hadeler, Halfmoon Bay
Editor’s Note:
The Sunshine Coast Regional District is responsible for managing and approving bylaws and land use zoning; this is required by law to be consistent with the Official Community Plan (BC Local Government Act). In regional districts it is the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) who approves subdivisions. MoTI is not bound by the Official Community Plan.
Development of large lots involves the following process:
- Appropriate land use zoning must be in place for development of a lot. The owner can apply to the SCRD for a ‘Zoning and OCP Amendment’ which involves a public process and is approved by a vote of the SCRD elected board.
- An owner can then submit a Subdivision application which is sent to MoTI (roads), Vancouver Coastal Health (sewage) and SCRD (zoning). The process may involve public meetings for larger applications. After VCH and SCRD have reviewed the application and provided comment, MoTI makes a decision on the application.
The previous owner of the above lot successfully applied to amend the Official Community Plan (OCP) and redesignate the Land Use Designation to ‘Residential B’. Designations can be seen in the Halfmoon Bay OCP Land Use Designations map. The community plan defines ‘Residential B’ as medium density and permits ~0.5 acre (2000m2) lots.
The OCP amendment process involves, public notice and a public information meeting, a public hearing and referral to a local planning advisory commission before the SCRD Board vote on it.
At the time of writing a subdivision application has been submitted to MoTI following the process outlined above.
In regional districts like Area B (Halfmoon Bay) on the Sunshine Coast, private property owners are generally allowed to cut down trees without any restriction. Sadly, in the above depicted case, the property owner, Alistair Toma, has cut down trees outside of the lot being developed and on other people’s property. Joey Tasker represents MoTI on the coast. The HBES has lodged a complaint with Tasker and the Ministry of the Environment about this development but gotten no response to date.