Rick and Cheryl Schellinck have been trying to obtain approval to subdivide their Quadra Island property, as the first step towards development, since 2011. The most recent version of the proposed Gowlland Harbour Views project consisted of twenty-two 2 hectare rural residential lots, a 5 hectare Agricultural Land Reserve parcel, and two small Regional District Parks. Quadra Island residents were given a chance to state their opinions of the project at a public meeting on June 12. Then Schellinck’s application was defeated in an electoral Directors only vote at the July 24, SRD Board meeting. It failed to make it to the third reading.
The three opposing Directors explained the rationale behind their votes.
Robyn Mawhinney is the Regional Director for Quadra Island and presided over the June 12 public meeting:
“I want to say that at over 500 submissions, the Schellinck application had a huge amount of public feedback, and I’ve read every submission at least twice.”
“Some folks provided multiple submissions, no doubt due to their passion on either side of this proposal. During my deliberations, I combined these multiple submissions and considered them as one. My accounting is that 73% are opposed and 27% are in favor. With this incredible volume of public input, clear themes emerged.”
“Reasons the application has merit include the value of centrally located parks, the protection of special old growth, and the opportunity for trails through the park and an expansion of the trail network to connect neighborhoods. Adding 22 5 acre lots would add opportunities for more housing, expand the tax base and provide well paid construction jobs.”
“Themes from those opposed to the application emerged as well. Water was mentioned by many. Concern with the carrying capacity of the island as climate change increases drought conditions. Mention of the recent staff report highlighting only a moderate chance of success for a water system in the cove, which was contemplated without these potential additional aquifer users.”
“Neighbors concerned with the potential effects on their wells, and for protection of wetlands, water is life. Many folks identified the island’s need for a diversified development that affordable, attainable, and middle class income housing needs to be contemplated and was not in this application. For me, these comments brought to mind the community value in Quadra’s official community plan, which says a strong rural community that reflects a diversity of lifestyles and economics.”
“The official community plan silviculture designation was raised by many. Forest land is viewed as important to Quadra, providing green space, wildlife habitat, and wildlife corridors, sporadic employment, and aquifer replenishing areas. Among the submissions, a number of people took the time to share that the community benefits to this proposal do not outweigh the drawbacks, and there are significant concerns with the precedent this application may set for other large centrally located parcels.”
“The submissions in their entirety appear to me an excellent starting point for a conversation about what we want to see in an updated official community plan, as well as perhaps the expectations of residents when it comes to amenity contributions on large development applications.”
“To the applicants, Mr. and Mrs. Schellink, I want to say thank you for the second attempt at meeting the community’s desires, demonstrated by a 25 percent increase in community support over your previous application.”
“Amongst the many submissions were several voices expressing concern for the forest and the potential parkland dedication if your application was unsuccessful. On behalf of these folks and the ancient trees in that remarkable ecosystem, I urge you not to pick up a chainsaw in haste.”
“Being an elected person, I know the truth of the adage, you can’t make everyone happy. Today is definitely one of those days as I will not be supporting third reading for this, thank you.”
Cortes Island Director Mark Vonesch stated, “Just adding on to the comments that Director Mahini made. Obviously, a huge amount of public input, 733 pages on this report, and lots of passion on both sides. The themes that I certainly saw were water concerns, the infrastructure on the island, being able to hold more people, and really, what is this application going to do for housing for the people that most need it, that live on Quadra, basically, the average person. It seems like the vast majority of Quadra Island that participated in this process are against it and I’m not going to be supporting it either. Thank you.”
Regional Director Gerald Whalley added, “The majority must prevail in a democracy and in this case, the majority with the reasons that they had which were valid reasons, are definitely opposed. So therefore, I’m opposed as well.”
The remaining Regional Director, John Rice, did not comment.
With three out of four regional Directors voting in opposition, the Schellinck’s application was defeated.
Links of Interest:
- Link to YouTube of July 24, 2024, SRD Board Meeting
- PUBLIC HEARING REPORT from June 12, 2024 at the Quadra Island Community Centre
- Articles about, or mentioning, the proposed Gowlland Harbour Views project
Top image credit: Gowlland Harbour as seen from the Seascape Waterfront Resort on Quadra Island – photo by David Stanley via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
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