Lululemon founder Chip Wilson has raised the ire of his neighbours on the Sunshine Coast over his plans to build a massive private dock to moor his pleasure boats and seaplane in the pristine waters of Middlepoint Bight.
Wilson, a 91原创 billionaire, has asked the provincial government for permission to build a 2,498 sq. ft dock and two 3,106 sq. ft breakwaters on the shoreline south of the mansion he has built on the bight, which is located between Pender Harbour and Sechelt. The dock is proposed to replace a modest moorage that has been approved on the north side of Wilson鈥檚 20-acre property at 11329 Sunshine Coast Hwy.
The plan has drawn objections from residents, the local planning council and the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD), which argue the proposed dock is too big for the site, which is a popular recreation area for swimmers and paddlers and home to eel grass beds, the feeding grounds of the endangered marbled murrelet and a rockfish conservation zone.
鈥淎 dock is too big and goes right out into the bay,鈥� said Barbara Cappeli, president of Pender Harbour & District Wildlife Society. 鈥淥ur concern is looking after the environment, and a dock that size is just unheard of in this area. All the neighbours are up in arms against it.鈥�
The regional district, which has unanimously opposed the project, has no control over the dock because it did not impose zoning limits on the waterfront in its previous Official Community Plan. The SCRD is in the midst of updating its OCP to include the waterfront, regional planner Lesley-Ann Staats said, but noted it will come too late to save the area around Wilson鈥檚 property, which is the responsibility of the province.
The regional district, however, will outline its concerns in a letter to the province, which is accepting public submissions on the plan until Jan. 30. The SCRD notes the proposed dock and breakwaters are not consistent with provincial policies, which 鈥済enerally discourage foreshore fills, breakwaters or permanent foreshore improvements鈥� except in exceptional circumstances.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of pushback from the community,鈥� Staats said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e concerned it looks more like a marina than a small dock.鈥�
A draft statement from the regional district suggests the province should ensure Fisheries and Oceans Canada are satisfied that the docks are placed in the most optimal area 鈥渢o minimize the impact on foreshore habitat,鈥� as well as contact the adjacent property owners and waterfront owners off Iska Road and Donley Drive for comment before they make a decision about whether the dock should go ahead.
Paul Jones, who lived on the property for 37 years and wrote a book about the endangered marbled murrelet, said 鈥渢here鈥檚 a great deal at stake,鈥� noting the area is also home to mink, otter, spotted skunk and all kinds of bird species. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a real rich natural history site,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey would be seriously affected by a big dock.鈥�
Jones, who lost five or six dinghies when he lived at the property, also agreed with concerns from the regional district that the area may not suitable for a big dock because of seasonal prevailing winds. Middlepoint Bight is a wide open bay that faces Malaspina Strait.
Wilson鈥檚 application suggests he will moor two 24-foot runabouts, one 47-foot cruiser, and a variety of small watercraft at the proposed dock.
鈥淚t鈥檚 ridiculous,鈥� Jones said, 鈥渆specially for a floating dock.鈥�
Residents say they don鈥檛 want to the make the issue about Wilson, who last year built a $54 million home on 91原创鈥檚 Point Grey Road and has a helipad on his Middlepoint residence, but worry money may trump the environment on the Sunshine Coast and alter their tiny community.
Wilson has had his share of controversy in the past by commissioning graffiti on the seawall behind his Point Grey home without a city permit. He was also a big supporter of the Point Grey bike lane, which passed by his house and closed the road to vehicle traffic.
Addison Smith, senior vice-president of Sphere Consulting, said Wilson was unavailable for an interview because he would prefer to 鈥渞efrain from public comment鈥� while the dock application is pending.
Connie Smith, who has had property on the Sunshine Coast for 30 years, said she hopes the environment will win. 鈥淲e all know these waters so well and what we want to protect.鈥�
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