DISTRICT OF SECHELT

MINUTES OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

Wednesday, April 09, 2025 at 3:00 P.m. - 4:00 P.m.

Community Meeting Room

1st Floor, 5797 Cowrie St., Sechelt

and Via Zoom Online Meeting Platform

PRESENT:

• Councillor D. Inkster (Chair), 
• Mayor J. Henderson, 
• Councillor D. Bell, 
• Councillor D. McLauchlan, 
• Councillor B. Rowe, 
• Councillor A. Shepherd, 
• and Councillor A. Toth 

STAFF:

• Acting Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Financial Services and Information Technology D. Douglas, 
• Director of Engineering and Operations M. Lee, 
• Director of Corporate and Community Services L. Roberts, 
• Manager of Capital Projects J. Maerz, 
• Chief Building Official J. Nyhus, 
• Senior Policy Planner K. Pearson, 
• Corporate Officer K. Poulsen, 
• and Administrative Assistant C. Kidd (Recording Secretary) 

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1.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Chair acknowledged their gratitude for living on the traditional lands of the shíshálh Nation. 

 

2.

CALL TO ORDER AND DECLARATION OF CONFLICT

The Chair called the Committee of the Whole Meeting to order at 3:00 pm and asked for declarations of conflict. There were none.

3.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

• Recommendation No. 1

  That the April 9, 2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting Agenda be adopted.

  CARRIED

4.

DELEGATIONS & PROCLAMATIONS

None.

5.

BUSINESS ITEMS

5.1

Childcare and Affordable Housing Project

Staff, along with members of the Colliers Project Management Team, and BC Housing were present to provide an update on the Childcare and Affordable Housing Project. Topics discussed include:

• The history and need for the project
• An overview of the parties involved, and what their roles are
• Funding and land transfer
• Project phases

In response to questions, staff confirmed:

• The childcare facility would have spots for up to about 77 children of varying ages, and may have as many as 10 staff.
• The housing portion would have one staff person at most.
• Funding for the childcare portion of the project has been increased through grants to 5.4 million.
• In order to provide funding for the housing, BC Housing requires that ownership of the units be transferred to BC Housing. 
• Approximately 27 units of low barrier housing were initially proposed for the project, with the final number to be confirmed following a financial feasibility study.
• The intention of the housing units is to provide workforce housing.

• Recommendation No. 2

  That the staff report for the Childcare and Affordable Housing Project be received.

  CARRIED
• Recommendation No. 3

  That the rezoning, subdivision, and land transfer processes be initiated for the Childcare and Affordable Housing Project at 6000 Lighthouse Avenue.

  CARRIED

5.2

Meeting Provincial Requirements for the Official Community Plan

Staff provided a report on the District's ability to meet provincial requirements with the Official Community Plan update, highlighting that with the Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing requirements, and new zoning bylaw, the District of Sechelt is on track to meet the needs of 3000 housing units over the next 20 years as identified in the Housing Needs Report. In response to questions, staff provided context on the criteria being used with in the staff report, also explaining why some places like East Porpoise Bay, and the Downtown Core were not highlighted within the report.

• Recommendation No. 4

  That the staff report on Meeting Provincial Requirements for the Official Community Plan be received.

  CARRIED

6.

ADJOURNMENT

• Recommendation No. 5

  That the April 9, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting be adjourned at 3:48 pm.

  CARRIED