Halfmoon Bay Community Hall Project

This is a hall for the community. One where community members can gather and could host a whole host of activities such as meetings, yoga, fitness classes, art classes, weddings, dances, birthday parties and family events. 

When building a hall at Coopers Green Park presented significant obstacles, the SCRD looked for the most viable option in Halfmoon Bay for a community hall location. A site at Connor Park presents the best option for several reasons which are all outlined here: https://letstalk.scrd.ca/community-hall/widgets/154136/faqs#30310

We know that environmental conservation and protection of our forested areas and white pine trees is very important to our residents. The intention is to construct the hall with as little impact to the forested area as possible.

Parking is a challenge that we will look to address specifically as the project moves forward and something we would value feedback on. We hope you can come speak with the project team at our first community event on June 21. 

Hi there, thank you for your question. 

The decision to move the project from Coopers Green to Connor Park was made by the SCRD Board. This decision was made after receiving staff reports that outlined serious concerns about building at Coopers Green Park. These concerns are all outlined in the common questions you referenced which are available here: https://letstalk.scrd.ca/community-hall/widgets/154136/faqs#30309.

The SCRD provides accessible services, and to accommodate the building height significant accessibility features would be required. Beyond that it was understood that flood and erosion mitigation structures would likely be required to mitigate hazard. These were expected to add significant costs to the project.

The previously granted variance permits for building siting and parking had expired and a reapplication is necessary. Variances are granted based on the ability to demonstrate ‘undue hardship’ in meeting the requirements. There was considerable uncertainty regarding the ability to meet that threshold.

Parking: Coopers Green has very few ‘off-street’ parking spots and a proposed configuration had been used to support the previous variance permit application. A review of this configuration has shown that many of the spaces do not conform to SCRD bylaws due to their aspect and proximity to Redroofs Road making them unsafe to access and depart from. Fire access requirements were found to further reduce the available space for parking.

While the parking requirements under the recently updated zoning bylaw are relaxed, the number of parking spaces at Coopers Green did not meet the needs of the proposed hall alone without considering the boat launch and other park users.

Siting: The proposed hall required a variance that would allow a setback distance of 0.5 m. The revised Geotech report recommends a minimum setback from the ocean of 7.5 m, while the updated zoning bylaw indicates a minimum setback of 15 m.

Thank you for reaching out with these concerns. Any bylaw contravention can be reported directly to SCRD bylaw enforcement officers at www.scrd.ca/bylaw-enforcement. We look forward to hearing more about your concerns at our first public event for the project at Connor Park on June 21.

Thank you for your question and suggestions. Improvements to Connor Park will be contemplated as part of the community hall project. Please come to our public event at Connor Park on June 21, between 3pm and 7pm where you can provide your valuable input direct to the community hall project team.

Thank you for your question. In addition to voting to move the community hall location to Connor Park, the SCRD Board also directed staff to work with the community to identify enhancements at the park. These could include upgrades like a covered picnic area, stage or pavilion, children’s play area, BBQ and fire pit area, site furnishings, circulation and wayfinding improvements, restoration of natural areas, etc.  Opportunities for the community to engage in the planning process will be communicated as the planning progresses.  

The Board also directed staff to explore options to maintain the existing hall at Coopers Green Park.  Staff will report back to the Board in the coming months about this. 

Thank you for your questions. 

The decision to move the project from Coopers Green to Connor Park was made by the SCRD Board. This decision was made after receiving staff reports that outlined serious concerns about building at Coopers Green Park. These concerns are all outlined in the common questions you referenced which are available here: https://letstalk.scrd.ca/community-hall/widgets/154136/faqs#30309. 

The SCRD provides accessible services, and to accommodate the building height, significant accessibility features would be required. Beyond that it was understood that flood and erosion mitigation structures would likely be required to mitigate hazard. These were expected to add significant costs to the project. 

The previously granted variance permits for building siting and parking had expired and a reapplication is necessary. Variances are granted based on the ability to demonstrate ‘undue hardship’ in meeting the requirements. There was considerable uncertainty regarding the ability to meet that threshold.

Parking: Coopers Green has very few ‘off-street’ parking spots and a proposed configuration had been used to support the previous variance permit application. A review of this configuration has shown that many of the spaces do not conform to SCRD bylaws due to their aspect and proximity to Redrooffs Road making them unsafe to access and depart from. Fire access requirements were found to further reduce the available space for parking. While the parking requirements under the recently updated zoning bylaw are relaxed, the number of parking spaces at Coopers Green did not meet the needs of the proposed hall alone without considering the boat launch and other park users. 

Siting: The proposed hall required a variance that would allow a setback distance of 0.5 m. The revised Geotech report recommends a minimum setback from the ocean of 7.5 m, while the updated zoning bylaw indicates a minimum setback of 15 m.

To answer your second question. Yes, answers to your questions have been published publicly. 

Thank you for your service to the fire department. This is something that we will contemplate as we move forward with the project.

Hi there, thank you for your question. The consultant indicated the inclusion of a 0.1m uplift in their Flood Construction Level determination. 

Hi there, thank you for your question. 

The graphic is in the common questions link on the community information page.

 You can find it here - https://letstalk.scrd.ca/community-hall/widgets/154136/faqs#30318