Council addressed a report last Wednesday on whether or not to authorize remedial action on the Joan Avenue site of the Twin Gables Motel in Crofton.
Council voted unanimously to allow the dilapidated buildings to continue as they are, noting that bracing has been sufficient for structural stability thus far as assessed by an engineer. Property owner Blaine Mersereau will be required to have a follow-up inspection and approval complete within the next year on the waterfront building and the adjacent former office/owners’ resident/motel unit building.
The buildings are braced and boarded up, and North Cowichan staff expressed a moderate degree of certainty that liability for any injury which could occur by someone trespassing into the derelict site would not rest with the municipality.
Prior to council’s decision Mersereau made a presentation to council about his future plans for his proposed Crofton Quay site, which include building possible rental accommodations, a cafe and a marina.
Mersereau will require a plan to dispose of contaminated soil at the shoreline before parts of his plan can be approved provincially and municipally. A development permit from the municipality can only be granted after Mersereau has obtained a provincial approval.