The District of Sooke has started rezoning a contentious downtown property to make way for a future health and wellness centre.
Sooke council unanimously passed the first and second readings of a bylaw to rezone the property at 2008 Murray Rd. from public recreation to general commercial. Council also moved to amend the official community plan (OCP), changing the land use from park to town centre on Sept. 9.
The rezoning has stirred debate, with some residents opposing the loss of open space and the site’s historical use as a recreational area. They argue that the property near Sooke’s marine boardwalk and Ed Macgregor Park should remain available for public use.
The 1,651-square-metre site, about 0.17 hectares, includes a gravel area and a grassy section with large trees. The property once housed a playground, which the Sooke Lions Club removed due to disrepair. Although zoned for public recreation and designated as parkland in the OCP, the site has never been formally dedicated as public parkland, a staff report to council stated.
The Sooke Lions Club has owned the property since 1978 but has struggled to sell it. After negotiating with a local business owner, the Lions applied to amend both the OCP and zoning designation to allow for a health services building.
Although not included in the current application, conceptual plans indicate the developer plans to preserve healthy trees on the property. An arborist's report has recommended protecting Sitka spruce and maple trees, and a covenant will be added to the property title to ensure these preservation efforts are enforced.
The zoning change would permit various commercial uses, including health services, offices, and retail. The land use designation shift aligns with OCP policies supporting affordable housing and commercial development, the report stated.
A public hearing on the rezoning is expected in October.
