Skip to content

Ucluelet council goes back to the future on Lot 16 RV decision

A convincing follow-up letter was received days after council voted in opposition of the proposal
32045911_web1_230306-UWN-ucluelet-council-flip-flops-on-rv-decision-at-lot-16-UCLUELET_1
Ucluelet Mayor and council, clockwise from top left: Ian Kennington, Mark Maftei, Shawn Anderson, Jennifer Hoar and Marilyn McEwen. (Westerly file photo)

During the Feb. 21 regular meeting, Ucluelet council flip-flopped on their decision to reject a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) application that would allow for five seasonal RVs to serve as worker housing on Lot 16 at Marine Drive.

Two weeks earlier at the Feb. 9 regular meeting, council unanimously voted in opposition of the proposed five RV spots, but a follow-up letter sent to the District of Ucluelet a few days later convinced council to reconsider their stance.

The letter sent by construction manager Kyle Corcoran of the Milner Group addressed several concerns, including: the placement of the trailers, impact on wildlife and the noise caused by generators.

“We will place a temporary hydro pole and use direct connection to power the trailers,” reads the letter dated Feb. 13.

Councillor Mark Maftei weighed-in.

“I have to give the proponent credit, I mean they’ve come back and they’ve basically hit every single point. I feel like it’s a weird letter. It’s simultaneously very conciliatory and then I kind of don’t like this sort of implied threat, where if it’s like ‘if you don’t do this for us, it’s going to be more expensive’,” said Maftei.

Corcoran wrote that the goal is to complete the project as quickly and efficiently as possible to keep costs down.

“If we are unable to move forward with our application, this will in turn have a snowball affect on costs and efficiencies. If crews have to stay further from the project site, it negatively impacts the construction schedule. If the costs for lodging are higher than originally budgeted, these higher lodging costs; as well as the lost efficiency costs, will be passed on to the end consumer of the housing being built,” wrote Corcoran.

Maftei went on to ask his fellow council members if the letter changed anyone minds.

“It did change my mind,” said Mayor Marilyn McEwen.

“It changed my mind,” echoed councillor Ian Kennington.

“Ditto,” said councillor Jennifer Hoar.

The Lot 16 property at the corner of Matterson Drive and Marine Drive is the future site of a 48-unit rental apartment building. A Development Permit for the apartment building and associated driveways, parking and landscaping was authorized during the Feb. 9 regular meeting.

The public will get the chance to comment on the refreshed TUP application for five RV spots before council votes on it, again, at the March 14 regular meeting.

RELATED: Ucluelet council adopts zoning for Lot 16 Marine Drive



nora.omalley@westerlynews.ca

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

READ MORE: Trio of rec. options pitched to Ucluelet council