Author: Web Administrator

Read the Fall Newsletter

In July of 2023, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) received a Development Variance Permit application requesting reduced setback from the natural boundary of the ocean for a number of existing structures located on the subject property near Cawley Point at Storm Bay.

Telus has more extensive use plans for this property. In September of 2020 Telus submitted an application to the Sunshine Coast Regional District to change the zoning from Rural 2 to a comprehensive development.

In response to inquiries from the community, the SHCA has prepared the following information summary for concerned residents.

Cawley Point (Telus Wilderness Point) Information

Project Description: The open-air picnic shelter (52s.m.) will be in Tot Park. It provides for rain protection for its users.  It is sited so that its height is minimal (dug into the bank) and is relatively unobtrusive. It will create a central focus for our unique community.  There is no electrical or plumbing infrastructure proposed.  The concept design includes heavy timber construction celebrating our west coast heritage and locally available materials and labour skills. It provides natural light and fresh air to the users.

Many users will be easily accommodated by the welcoming shelter.  The current concept design allows for easy supervision and observation by passers-by, thusly avoiding negative behaviors or unwelcome activities, thereby satisfying CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) concerns.

This construction also presents the possibility to investigate and remediate the swampy area at the base of the hill just north of the playground. We are planning to include this investigation into the geotechnical investigation of the site that is required for the foundation.  The DoS is enthusiastic about this project and has already initiated a archeological study to ensure that no First Nations important sites are located at this location.

The building conforms to current zoning, and the 2018 Parks Master Plan.

Project Uses: We envision the open air shelter to be used:

• for shelter for parents minding children playing in the park,
• pedestrians taking a break from their strolls or dog walking
• allow small gatherings of neighbours
• a sheltered place for families and friends to have picnics
• a location to have neighbourhood meetings year round, like the Sandy Hook Community Association, and other community meetings
• Special events, public discussions, and possibly an emergency gathering place.

Background:

• 2019-2021 – A sheltered structure in Sandy Hook has been discussed for several years.
• October 2021 – The Tot Park picnic structure was approved at the 2021 SHCA AGM
• June 2022 – District of Sechelt Council supports the Sandy Hook Community Association’s open‐air picnic shelter project at Tot Park.  
• Summer 2022 – the SHCA applied to the Sunshine Coast Community Forest Legacy Fund (SCCFLF) for financing to construct the Skookum Hut.  Because the project was not “shovel ready” the funding was not granted. Project nicknamed the Skookum Hut.
• November 2023 – Budget request submitted to DoS by SHCA for costs to get project shovel ready.
• 2023 – Capital project funding for $30,000 granted to develop the plan so it is “shovel ready”.  Evidence of community support needed to move the project forward.
• 2023 – August – SHCA develops a survey and posters for community to demonstrate support and interest.

Please complete the following survey by September 15th, 2023.

Click here to access the survey

Community Information Poster

A special thanks to Diana Mumford and Cathy Macartney for putting together our summer newsletter!

DO YOU NEED SOME HELP DISCARDING THE BROOM YOU HAVE CUT?
Due to the tenacious nature of Scotch Broom, it cannot be discarded with other green waste, as the seeds will continue to spread the problem. A small group of Sandy Hook residents are collecting plants that have been cut before seeding starts, and will be taking them to the Halfmoon Bay Broombusters group who have offered to burn the pile in fall. Please contact sandyhookcommunityassociation@gmail.com to request some help!

SCOTCH BROOM
Scotch broom is an alien invasive plant brought to the Pacific Northwest in
the mid-1800’s. A single plant can produce 18,000 seeds that survive in the
soil for up to 50 years. Remove Scotch Broom before it becomes established.

WHY REMOVE?
Spreads rapidly and densely – crowds out native plants
Forms dense thickets – slows and prevents forest regrowth
Highly flammable – a fire hazard
Toxic to the land and grazing animals
Noxious – pollen makes people sick

REMOVAL
Cut broom in bloom at ground level – as low as you can go
Pull very small plants
Go after new infestations
Stop cutting when the seedpods form (beginning of June)
Be careful not to spread the seeds

More information at https://www.broombusters.org/

We need to have an AGM this year, and time has run out to plan something in person before then end of the year. We have been having open meetings each month, but we need to have an official AGM. So, we are going to host a zoom AGM on Dec 18th at 4pm.  We will plan to have a community in-person meet and greet in the New Year!

We’ll send out the zoom link to all 2022 members in good standing (paid $10 in 2022) closer to the date. If you are interested in attending and have not yet paid the membership fee for 2022, please e-transfer to sandyhookcommunityassociation@gmail.com and include your name and address in the comments. 

Proposed Agenda:

Approval of previous AGM minutes

SHCA meet and greet/membership drive

Community contact list

STR update

Garbage collection

Board Positions

The SHCA has received the following letter from the District which will be discussed at the June 5th board meeting. Input is requested by July 4th. There are some information session scheduled for the week of May 23rd. Click on the Have Your Say link for more information.

The District of Sechelt is in the process of updating Zoning Bylaw 25, which is the foundational zoning bylaw first adopted in 1987. The new Zoning Bylaw 580 will align densities, land-use and housing options with the ideas approved by Council through the 2011 District Official Community Plan.
This zoning bylaw update is simply an update to the existing outdated land-use policy document, it will guide the direction and location of future development across the District. The updated bylaw was received by Sechelt Council at the April 27th Committee of the Whole. The bylaw will move through several iterations, with a tentative goal of reaching bylaw adoption by October 2022. First reading of the bylaw is anticipated at Council this week on Wednesday, May 4th.
As part of this process, the District is looking to receive feedback on the bylaw update. Further information can be found online on the District’s Have Your Say webpage, which has a link to the interactive Zoning Bylaw 580 web map.
The tentative plan at this time is to hold a public hearing in early July.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Sandy Hook STR Survey!

Sandy Hook STR Survey Results

The next SHCA Board meeting will be held via Zoom at 4:00 pm on March 6th. If you did not receive an email and would like to attend, please email sandyhookcommunityassociation@gmail.com

Agenda Items:

1. Updates on the use Skookumchuk Road for access to clear cut.
2. Short Term Rental Survey Update
3. Postal boxes on Klahanie Dr 
4. Sandy Hook Sign
5. Membership tracking
6. Picnic Structure at Tot Park

The District of Sechelt Council are planning upgrades to the Bylaws regarding Short Term Rentals (STR) in Sechelt, and the local Community Associations have been asked to provide input. In response to this, a Sub Committee consisting of Board Members and Association Members was formed to make sure the collective Sandy Hook Community voice is heard. If you would like to have input, please complete the STR Survey (link below) before March 1st (one survey per household).

Short Term Rental Survey – SURVEY CLOSED. Thank you for your submissions! Results will be posted when available.

If you do not have access to a computer, you can find paper copies at each of the notice boards in the community. If you have any questions or difficulty completing the survey, contact sandyhookcommunityassociation@gmail.com

If you would like to become more involved and have your voice heard, here are some useful contacts:
Mayor and Council: council@sechelt.ca
Online Bylaw Complaint Form https://tinyurl.com/u279r23d
DOS Noise Bylaw https://tinyurl.com/29uw6esc
Planning and Development andrewallen@sechelt.ca