The Flying Shingle
Monday, December 13 2010
Is it possible to require the Gabriola Health Care Society (GHCS) covenant not to sell community built medical offices and a three bed urgent treatment room to private owners, Advisory Planning Commission (APC) member Jacinthe Eastick wonders.
At a Dec. 1 meeting at the Gabriola Community Hall commissioners met to discuss an application to rezone 4.1 acres of Forestry zoned lands at the top of Church Street off North Road to “Institutional 4”. The rezoning would make way for the future subdivision of the 4.1 acres.
Noting that it is the community’s intention that the clinic, which will be built from money raised mostly from the community, not be sold to private owners, Commissioner Jenny MacLeod asked if the clinic could be designated as a “public health facility”.
Commissioner Jacinthe Eastick said that Planners have been clear that the Local Trust Committee (LTC) must zone for how the land will be used, not who will use or own it. However she noted that the foundation could be asked to make a covenant on the title that says the community clinic will be for the use of the community “in perpetuity on a non-profit basis”.
Regional Planning Manager Chris Jackson said that the Local Trust Committee (LTC) could take such an offer into consideration when they decide whether or not to rezone, if it was offered. He said the LTC did not have the authority to hold such a covenant, however. Eastick wondered if another organisation could hold the covenant.Jackson
GHCS President said the society had not contemplated this idea. Proponent Brian Henning said that because everyone in the community is a member of the clinic, in order for the clinic to be sold there would have to be an advertised “special general meeting”, and members would have to agree to the sale.
At a Dec. 1 meeting at the Gabriola Community Hall commissioners met to discuss an application to rezone 4.1 acres of Forestry zoned lands at the top of Church Street off North Road to “Institutional 4”. The rezoning would make way for the future subdivision of the 4.1 acres.
Noting that it is the community’s intention that the clinic, which will be built from money raised mostly from the community, not be sold to private owners, Commissioner Jenny MacLeod asked if the clinic could be designated as a “public health facility”.
Commissioner Jacinthe Eastick said that Planners have been clear that the Local Trust Committee (LTC) must zone for how the land will be used, not who will use or own it. However she noted that the foundation could be asked to make a covenant on the title that says the community clinic will be for the use of the community “in perpetuity on a non-profit basis”.
Regional Planning Manager Chris Jackson said that the Local Trust Committee (LTC) could take such an offer into consideration when they decide whether or not to rezone, if it was offered. He said the LTC did not have the authority to hold such a covenant, however. Eastick wondered if another organisation could hold the covenant.
GHCS President said the society had not contemplated this idea. Proponent Brian Henning said that because everyone in the community is a member of the clinic, in order for the clinic to be sold there would have to be an advertised “special general meeting”, and members would have to agree to the sale.
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