Qualicum Beach council has rejected a zoning and official community plan amendment application to allow a health care facility to be built on a property in College Inn Road.
Council voted 3-2 to deny the application during its regular meeting on Oct. 22.
The proponents of the project wanted to build a 125-bed, long-term care facility that includes assisted living and memory care. The property located at 431 College Rd. is currently zoned Residential 12 and is designated in the OCP for multi-family residential.
Staff presented a motion to give first reading to amend the zoning and OCP bylaws, as well as a development permit.
"It is not approval," said town planner Luke Sales. "It just indicates that council's willing to consider this."
As well, staff recommended the project be referred to the town's advisory planning commission for detailed analysis of the design and other components of the project, and also to provide input.
Sales indicated the design of the project has undergone some amendments to reflect the many comments and suggestions from council as well as from residents who attended community engagements.
Among the major changes the developers made were the reduction of the building height by one storey and the reduction of beds t0 125 from 140.
Although Coun. Petronella Vander Valk appreciates the amendments made to the project, she still feels "the building is still very massive and definitely is imposing on the surrounding neighbourhood."
Residents in the area have signed a petition opposing the project, pointing out it would have significant traffic impacts, increased on-street parking congestion and ongoing disruption to the daily lives of neighbours. They asked council to reject the proposal based on its inappropriate scale, its incompatibility with surrounding residential uses and the adverse impacts it would have on traffic, parking and neighbourhood livability.
However, there is also a petition with 339 signatures in favour of the project. Vander Valk said while she appreciates the support, she noticed that many of the signatories are from either outside the neighbourhood or outside Qualicum Beach.
Coun. Anne Skipsey agrees the region needs more care beds for seniors but also feels the College Inn Road property is not the right location. Councillors Scott Harrison and Jean Young want the project be handed to the advisory planning commission for more feedback.
Young said they need to respect the concerns of residents in the neighbourhood but stressed the need for more care beds.
Harrison said as the population ages, the situation is going get worse if no additional capacity is created. Island Health projects the Oceanside aging population is going to go up between 61 to 70 per cent
"There are so many people who are of the age where they require the supports," said Harrison. "It's just that's what's coming."
Harrison understands it's a bit of an imposition to the neighbourhood but pointed out that the problem in Qualicum Beach is, "we have a few loud voices who speak to council, make us afraid to do what's right for the long-term health of the community instead of the short-term benefit of the neighbours. And that is not really our role. Our role is not the make the neighbours happy. It's to do what's good for the whole community of Qualicum Beach."
Harrison agrees there are some legitimate concerns but added "I would feel terrible if we turned our back on this when we're going to be facing a crisis in five years."
Council voted to reject the developer's application to amend zoning and OCP bylaws with Young and Harrison opposed.