QUALICUM BEACH — A proposed senior care facility won’t be moving forward, following concerns from neighbours about the size and scope of the project.
Town councillors voted 3-2 on Wednesday, Oct. 22, to reject two amendments and a subsequent development permit for a three-storey, 125-unit independent and assisted long-term care living facility at 431 College Rd.
Coun. Petronella Vander Valk, who voted against the amendments and permit, said she feels this “massive” development would be “too imposing” on the “small, quiet, residential neighbourhood.”
“I strongly feel that although we are in need of more senior care facilities, and I agree with that, I don’t think that this is the place for it.”
Residents who opposed the development were in its immediate vicinity, while those in support lived outside the neighbourhood or outside of Qualicum Beach, according to Vander Valk.
The proposal was brought before the July 23 Committee of the Whole meeting, where the original plan was for a four-storey, 141-bed long-term, memory care and assisted living facility.
According to the report, the developers slimmed down their proposal following the meeting.
Coun. Anne Skipsey, who also voted against the project, acknowledged the need for more senior care in the community, having previously helped her father and mother-in-law navigate the long-term care system, calling it “almost impossible.”
However, she also felt it wasn’t the right location, and would prefer a build which falls under the lot’s current residential zoning, which would allow a residential project with up to 53 multi-family units.
“Maybe if there weren’t constraints on the property already because of the original proposal, what was approved, the parking, and everything else, that maybe there could be a way, maybe, to make it work…I don’t think it’s fair to compare a small, residential building with what will be a fairly large, institutional building, it’s not quite the same.”
The rejected zoning application would have changed it to a Comprehensive Development Zone 24, a new, site-specific zone which permits a long-term care facility, but does not permit residential use, according to the report.
Originally the site of Qualicum College, a former private school which opened in 1935, the building was later converted to an inn, which was demolished in 2021. (Town of Qualicum Beach)Coun. Jean Young, who voted in favour of the development, agreed it is a “massive” development, but said it’s also badly needed, and suggested returning it to the advisory committee for further discussion.
“We need to respect the residents that are already there, but I do know that we do need care beds, and there is no one. Island Health is not doing any builds that we know of, so we do need this.”
Coun. Scott Harrison, also supportive, acknowledged legitimate concerns with the proposal and also encouraged more discussions and studies to satisfy all parties.
He pointed to reports on the aging Oceanside population, and how they’re “going to need every long-term care facility we can possibly get.”
“When you look at the current struggles with long-term care, which can be well over a year to get anything going, it’s going to get much worse if we don’t add additional capacity, just because there are so many more people who are of the age where they require the supports. That’s what’s coming.”
While Harrison was speaking, a member of the audience loudly laughed, interrupting the proceedings and causing Mayor Teunis Westbroek to remind people about respectful decorum.
Harrison used the momentary disruption to make a point about what he thinks is a larger issue within their community.
“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 to make the neighbours happy, it’s to do what’s good for the whole community of Qualicum Beach.”
Harrison said he’ll feel terrible if the Town “turned our back on this, when we are going to be facing a crisis in five years.”
Developers will have to come up with a new plan for their proposed senior care facility after their rezoning and Official Community Plan amendments were denied, with approval needed before the consideration of a development permit. (Town of Qualicum Beach)Subscribe to our daily news wrap. Local news delivered to your email inbox every evening. Stay up to date on everything Nanaimo and Oceanside.
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