SOOKE VALDY RETURNS
MIRROR
Editorial
Former Sooke resident and folk singer Valdy performs.
Sports/stats
Black Press C O M M U N I T Y
N E W S
M E D I A
SURFING QUEEN
Page 8
Entertainment
Page B1
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
NEWS Page B1
Leah Oke represents Canada in surfing contest.
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Page A20
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Your community, your classifieds P17 • 75¢
New Silver Spray plans emerge Pirjo Raits
Sooke News Mirror
Submitted photos
Plans are being developed for 95 private residence club cottages at Silver Spray as well as ancillary buildings such as a pavillion and a club. Illustration above, shows the location of the cottages and the picture below is an artist’s rendition of what the buildings and landscaping would look like once completed.
Michael Thornton came before District of Sooke council on Monday, April 22 with an impassioned plea to allow for blanket variances of setbacks at Silver Spray. Thornton is looking to build 95 private residence club cottages on the 7.02 hectare property at Possession Point. Thornton was requesting a reduction of the site specific floodplain, steep slope and building setbacks from 15 metres to five metres. The development, now called Silver Spray Destination Resort - Phase 1, would also include a club, pavilion for commercial and recreational use and a wastewater treatment plant. The developer was looking for the exemptions so building could begin on the first phase as early as this summer. “The only way this project has a chance is if we can move it along quickly,” said Thornton. Silver Spray has had a number of development plans over the past 17 years, with little build out on the vast property. “For 17 years, I’ve been trying to make it work and I always believed the money would come,” said Thorn-
ton. He added that if construction could begin this summer, in spite of the economy, it could bring $24-25 million to the local economy. “I can’t afford to lose this summer…uncertainty is the worst,” he said. Council was unanimous in granting Silver Spray the Site Specific Floodplain Exemption from Bylaw 561 and other requested setbacks as well as issuing a Development Permit for the 95 cottages and other ancillary buildings. Council also recommended that unnecessary referral requirements be waived. One concerned member of the public had sent in a letter to council where he/ she stated there was some evidence of a high frequency of vertical cracks in the rocks at Possession Point and suggested an evaluation of the geology of the area in regard to rock fracturing and stability. The Silver Spray lands were annexed into the District of Sooke in 2005, although they are on the western end of East Sooke, which is in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area. The annexation was approved because the foreshores touch. Original proposals divided the residents of East Sooke, leading to defamation and libel lawsuits.
The Rotary Club Of Sooke’s
MAY 4TH
2013
Auction & Spring Fair
sookerotary.com/auction
10AM - 10PM at the SEAPARC Leisure Complex • FREE ADMISSION