In what’s becoming a common pattern, Gibsons Council has voted 3-2 to move the proposed George Hotel project another step closer to possible approval.
Around 300 people came out last night as Council debated a report on the height, and design of the waterfront hotel and conference centre. Despite moving to the larger Gibsons Public Market, the crowd overflowed onto the patio, where people had to listen on outdoor speakers.
Councillors Lee Ann Johnson and Dan Bouman say they can’t endorse the design, despite changes made to address issues raised by the community.
And Bouman says while he has concerns about height, aquifier protection, and other issues, he’s also worried about the ongoing division in the town and there’s a message in that for the developer.
Charlene San Jenko was among the councillors who voted to endorse the design. She says it’s important to focus on the whole.
Tuesday night’s vote means the Town will now draft zoning bylaws and finish further environmental and engineering studies. A public hearing is still down the road.
Below: one of the “visualizations” showing how the George Hotel would look. In this case from the Harbour Gazebo
