The Supreme Court of British Columbia has ruled in favour of the City of White Rock with regard to a proposed 12-storey development in the Lower Town Centre, limiting the height of that project to six storeys.
The Supreme Court in Vancouver heard the application by G.S.R. Capital Group Inc. in Aug. 29 and 30, 2019, brought under section 623 of the Local Government Act, to proceed with a project to build a 12-storey building at 1310 Johnston Rd. G.S.R. also sought orders quashing Bylaws 2289 and 2290, among other City resolutions.
The City’s position was that the proposed development does not fit the zoning for the property. In accordance with section 463 of the Local Government Act, the City withheld a building permit until the zoning bylaw in process, reducing the allowable density and restricting the height of buildings on the property to six storeys, was enacted, resulting in a conflict with the proposed development.
The decision was made by the Honourable Madam Justice Forth and shared with the City of White Rock on March 31, 2020.
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Mayor Darryl Walker
“City Council did what we thought was in the public interest for the City of White Rock with regard to the height of buildings in the Lower Town Centre of White Rock. The City must ensure development meets the needs of the community while helping to create the White Rock we want to see in the future.”