Qualicum Beach is wading into a waterfront master plan and considering what to do with the old fire hall site.
"Phase one is underway and we hope it will be complete in the spring," said director of planning Luke Sales of the waterfront plan.
He said they are currently looking at the geotechnical aspects of the foreshore like wave action and sediment transfer, which will give them the basic information required for phase two — community consultation.
"Then we will look at the results and explore the options," he said, adding that will then have all the latest possible data including the possible impact of a rising sea level.
"This is the most significant planning project in the near horizon," he said.
On Monday night, after the press deadline, town council was scheduled to consider a motion to initiate the planning process for what to do with the current fire hall property beside town hall once the department moves to the new hall beside the roundabout later this year.
He said if council votes for the motion, the planning would start next month with the goal of finishing it by the end of the year, or around the time the old hall is decommissioned.
"This is a more localized planning project," he said, explaining it will be focused on the fire hall property, but will also likely include discussions about traffic in the immediate area, especially the awkward sharp angle intersection at Harlech Road and First Avenue.
"The options may include some street realignments."
Other major planning projects like the South Qualicum Beach plan and what to do with the former school bus garage site beside TOSH are on hold pending council direction, he said. While there have been discussions, there hasn't been any formal work on those issues, said Sales.
Meanwhile other plans await funding. They have long term planning projects ready to go for the reconstruction of Memorial Avenue from the train tracks to the waterfront along with traffic roundabouts at Memorial and Village Way and Qualicum Beach Road and Village Way.