Council puts puzzle pieces into place for hotel/convention centre

A hotel in Sooke has been a long time coming, said Mayor Janet Evans just before council voted unanimously to rezone three lots along West Coast Road.

The rezoning will allow Prestige Hotels and Resorts to continue with their plans for a 122-room hotel/convention centre.

“This proposal fits with all the plans we have been working on for the past four years,” said Evans. “It’s a long time coming and there has been a lot of opportunity for the public to speak at the open houses and meetings.”

Prior to the council vote, a public hearing was held to listen to the comments of those in attendance.

Richard Thorburn, the architect for Prestige came forward to talk about the design of the hotel/convention centre.

“The theme and style of the building is Island Colonial,” said Thorburn. “It is what the owner wanted to capture and make a destination resort in Sooke territory.”

One by one residents came to the microphone to express their opinions, extol the virtues of the hotel plan and to voice their concerns. While no one disagreed that a hotel was needed in Sooke, some of the comments related to concerns regarding: the definition of and uses for the CD-8 zone; the height of the building; public private partnerships; taxes; parking spaces; site access; design, and the location.

Gail Hall spoke of a conflict between zoning Bylaw 416 and the OCP. The 2001 OCP, she said, does not define the uses in the marine commercial zone.

“I think the list of uses far exceeds what’s allowed, especially if you are talking about marine commercial,” said Hall. She was also opposed to the height of the hotel, stating there was, “no thought to the people who are already here... but that’s par for the course.”

Barry Whiting said he was personally against public/private partnerships, while Brian McNeil felt it was a poor economic investment which would see the district go $5 million into debt.

“The negotiators from Prestige must be laughing themselves all the way to the bank,” said McNeil. He didn’t like the design of the building either.

One business owner came forward and said he was in favour and being able to attend a conference in Sooke would be useful, but he was against Sooke and the taxpayers underwriting the construction of the hotel.

“If it’s such a good thing to do why doesn’t Prestige buy all the lots?” he asked. He was concerned about one access on and off the property and what he felt was lack of parking space for the hotel/convention centre.

Another said he couldn’t afford it if his property taxes went up for someone else to own a hotel.

Ellen Lewers said it would be difficult to bring conventions to Sooke because it was so removed from an airport. She also said it (the project) was not “building community” because of its location away from the downtown core.

“How do you play at the boat launch when you are working to keep the wolf from the door,” said Lewers. “It’s not up to the taxpayers to support independent business.”

Others came forward to give kudos to council and staff.

Wayne Novak and Gwen Fisher both strongly supported the rezoning application.

“The naysayers don’t understand the passion Prestige brings to the project,” said Novak. “Prestige sees Sooke as being a destination resort... maybe not right away.”

After the public hearing was closed members of council had a chance to speak their minds.

Mayor Evans said she understood the issue of taxes.

“The commercial taxes will help offset some of the residential taxes... in five years,” said Evans.

Councillor Sheila Beech said there was very little income from the downtown area and it was necessary to move forward (on the hotel).

“We have to be brave,” she said. “We’re causing some excitement, this hotel is something to be proud of. Stop bellyaching and lets move forward and make this town the best it can be.”

Coun. Maja Tait talked of the economic spinoffs in relation to job creation and Coun. Ron Dumont said,”It’s the first step, let’s hope it’s not the last.”

Coun. Herb Haldane said, “It could be the best thing that ever happened to us,” while Coun. Dave Bennett echoed the sentiment by saying, “one giant step for the District of Sooke.”

Council also gave the thumbs up to the Partnering Agreement between the District of Sooke and Prestige Sooke Holdings Ltd., and the Boundary Adjustment Subdivision between 6931 and 6937 West Coast Road.

The boundary adjustment will see a portion of the district’s lot switched with a portion of Prestige’s lot to allow the hotel/convention centre to sit on what was the district’s lot.

The subdivision plan will be registered concurrently with an easement and the dedication of a three-metre strip of land above the high water mark for grant of riparian rights to foreshore development (potential future boardwalk). The easement will allow the proposed hotel site to use the district property for access, servicing for rainwater management, and parking.

The next step in the process is final adoption of Bylaw No. 416.