Council Meeting Highlights – May 7, 2024
Please note that this is an informal summary of selected items from the meeting and is not an official record of proceedings. For official records, including agendas, minutes and staff reports, please refer to Gibsons – Home (civicweb.net)
View the full agenda and minutes from the meeting.
View the recording of the meeting.
2024 Financial Plan and Tax Rate Bylaws
A the May 7th Council Meeting, the final 2024 budget financial plan and tax rate bylaw were adopted.
The approved budget includes an 8% overall tax increase, including 5% toward future policing costs and 3% to support general operations. For the owner of an average residential property valued at $920,560 this would mean an additional $103.24 in municipal taxes.
Both Sewer and Water rates have increased by 5%, and Garbage and Organics User Rates will increase by $38 annually. With water meters, users pay for what they use: a sample single-family residential property (160m3 over 6-month period) will pay an additional $45.47. For sewer services, an average single family residential property will pay an additional $35.30.
Council and staff worked diligently over the last several months to find savings and revenue to keep taxes as low as possible. With Gibsons’ aging infrastructure and escalating construction costs, maintaining a minimal tax increase presented a significant challenge.
This budget ensures that Gibsons will have the necessary resources to continue delivering essential services to the community while also addressing infrastructure needs and preparing for the upcoming increase in policing costs.
More information on the budget can be found at gibsons.ca/budget-2024
OCP and Zoning Amendment for Lot A and C
Council authorized staff to prepare the OCP and Zoning Amendment Bylaws for OCP-2023-04 and ZA-2023-07 to accommodate the commercial and residential development on Lots A and C Gibsons Way. These are the lots surrounding the 101 Brewery, BMO building and Blue Heron live-work spaces.
629 Mahan Road
Council approved the request for a Development Permit and Development Variance to allow additional height and apartment use on ground level for the property at 629 Mahan Road. Council thoroughly discussed the community impact of an additional floor of housing units and ultimately reasoned by a majority vote that approving the variance would better meet community housing needs than denying it.
456-458 Marine Drive Gibsons Way
Staff presented the revised design for a mixed-use building at on the waterfront at 456-458 Marine Drive Gibsons Way, besides the Bayside restaurant. Council was in favour of authorizing the form and character Development Permit, subject to the following changes:
a) Secure the stairs from Marine Drive to the Sea-walk for public access.
b) Revise the colour palette for brighter colours.
c) Soften the armouring along the sea walk.
Pebbles Beach Stairs
A contract to replace the stairs and conduct slope stabilization at Pebbles Beach has been awarded to NB Contracting. Construction is scheduled to begin on May 27 and is expected to be completed by the end of June. The park will be closed to the public during this period.
Pebbles Beach Restoration – Town of Gibsons
What has Council been up to?
Conference Attendance: Mayor White and Youth Representative, Cael Read, attended the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities
(AVICC) conference which focused on housing legislation, climate action, and youth engagement. Cael gave a speech at the conference on his advocacy efforts for free transit for youth on the Sunshine Coast and his representation on Gibsons’ Council.
Advocacy Efforts: Mayor White’s advocacy efforts have included meetings with BC Ferries officials, discussions on complex care housing, and engagement with the Minister of State for Infrastructure and Transit. Noteworthy successes included securing 20 complex care beds for the Sunshine Coast and advancing discussions on stormwater management.
Local Initiatives: Mayor White discussed efforts to preserve Stonehurst, healthcare infrastructure, and homelessness outreach.
Community Engagements: Councillor Christi Thompson participated in fundraising efforts for the Gibsons Senior Society Harmony Hall expansion and attended an AGM with MP Patrick Weiler.
