Summary of General Meeting
October 19, 2005
Parksville Community Centre
7:30 A.M.
In Attendance: Bruce Cownden, Chair Egon Kuhn Art Cowie
Michelle Jones Richard Hudson Wendy Maurer
Manley LaFoy Susanne Hale Helen Sims
Caroline Grover Jeff Hale Mark Flinta
Vaughan Roberts Lindsay Locke Bud Shelly
Bernie Walsh Ross Harvey Shirley Harvey
Kim Burden Ron Maine Joanna Smith Tait
Tim Tullis Dave Willie Rob Hoffman
Adele McKillop John Barnum
Marilyn Hayden, Recording Secretary
Guest Speaker: Steve Clark, Keystone Environmental
Candidates for City of Parksville- Mayor:
Sandy Herle
Rick Marshall
Caroline Waters
Bruce Cownden called the meeting to order at 7:40 A.M. and introduced guest speaker, Steve Clark, Keystone Environmental.
Riparian Areas Regulation
· Enacted under Section 12 of the fish Protection Act, the Riparian Areas Regulation (RAR) calls upon local governments to protect Riparian Areas (defined as a streamside protection and enhancement area) by March 31, 2006.
· Not driven by DFO any longer and should be a quicker and easier process.
· RAR applies to local government regulation or approval of Residential, Commercial and Industrial activities or as stipulated in Part 26 of the Local Government Act being:
(a) removal, alteration, disruption or destruction of vegetation;
(b) disturbance of soils;
(c) construction or erection of buildings and structures;
(d) creation of non-structural impervious or semi-impervious surfaces;
(e) flood protection works;
(f) construction of roads, trails, docks, wharves and bridges;
(g) provision and maintenance of sewer and water services;
(h) development of drainage systems;
(i) development of utility corridors; and,
(j) subdivision as defined in section 872 of the Local Government Act.
· Farm Regulation over rides the Riparian Area Regulation.
Questions
· Will it apply to a common road ditch?
o If it is a new structure or new footprint on the project, it will apply. The new regulation will be delegated to a qualified professional.
o Open ditches are considered watercourses under the new regulations. If the ditch is not a fish habitat, it may not require a set back.
· Global warning predicts changes in the water table. How will this effect the regulation?
o The high water mark is where assessment starts and that can change.
· How will it effect set backs that are on different levels?
o More flexibility will be applied.
Bruce Cownden thanked Steve Clark for his interesting and educational presentation.
Steve Clark departed the meeting at this time.
City of Parksville Candidates for Mayor
Bruce Cownden explained that each candidate would have a 5 minutes presentation and a question period would follow the presentations.
Summary of Candidate Presentations
Sandy Herle
· Reflections on the past 3 years
o City has been tremendously busy with $90 million worth of development permits issued compared to $40 million in the 3 years prior.
o Updated an Economic Development Strategy.
o Created an Economic Development office with partnerships.
o Improved the Alberni Highway entrance.
o Ready to commence work on the waterfront walkway.
o Homes cannot be built fast enough and selling at record dollars.
· Significant concerns are water supply, water safety, health and social issues.
· The city has identified the need to broaden and diversify the tax base. 75% of taxes come from the residential community. New developments will improve the bottom line. Currently the commercial tax sits at only 25%. Not a healthy number.
· Believe that an independent process review should be taken.
· Ensure that portfolio assignments are re-instated.
· A citizen’s advisory council could be a tool to get citizens involved in the direction of the city.
· Sustainable communities and affordable housing are significant topics and issues.
· 20 year replacement for infrastructure in place now. Enough water for a population of 25,000 and will not need the next intake station until 2015.
· Believe that the development community be included to take part with the city in coming up with a plan to encourage development of varied and affordable housing.
· Health care issue in a very real issue. 56% of our population is over the age of 45.
Rick Marshall
· Main project for the city is the waterfront development.
· Decisions should be made looking ahead 20 – 25 years.
· Biggest department in the city is the planning department because during booms in development more staff was hired and after the boom sub departments were formed.
· Believe planning department should be streamlined.
Caroline Waters
· Encourages citizens to contact her with issues.
· Councillor for the past 3 years.
· Must work on infrastructure – water and sewer.
· The main issue is for council to put in place policies that actually work.
· The new council must review all bylaws that are already in existence.
· A complete bylaw review is called for.
Questions
· Do you believe the city should get involved in affordable housing?
Sandy – The city needs to get involved in the process as well as other levels of government.
· Who is the target for affordable housing?
Sandy – Seniors, retirees, work force, the EDO is now looking into the issue.
· Working on getting the Wosk property out of the ALR to be taken into the city’s boundaries. Do you believe in orderly development?
Caroline – Annex the Wosk property.
Sandy – Opposed to urban sprawl, looking to development within the city’s boundaries.
Rick – 20 years down the road.
· Would like to hear from the other candidates on affordable housing?
Rick - Parksville has the highest percentage of single mothers. Who is really needy?
· Caroline - Have researched how other communities have addressed their affordable housing policies and presented the Affordable Housing Policy for Langford – For each group of 10 lots, the developer will provide one affordable housing unit. Policy is available on the Langford website. (Or contact Marilyn Hayden for a copy.)
· Affordable housing is needed, but the landlord & tenant act is biased against landlords. What can be done on a city level?
Sandy - The city is looking at tightening up the bylaw due to the Crystal Meth drug issue. Cannot change the Provincial Landlord and Tenant Act, but the city is reviewing the bylaw for secondary suites.
Rick - A few years back the NDP government in Ontario froze rents to make for more affordable housing with disastrous results. Support secondary suites.
Caroline - Need to identify lands inside the municipality. Stand up for the OCP.
· With the declining natural population and a growing migrant population, how do you propose to provide housing?
Caroline - The city is open for business, but staff is at full capacity now.
Rick - Need something to draw tourists in for the winter months. Need to develop the waterfront.
Sandy - As Parksville is a growing community, look to encourage density planning. Need to look at contracting out.
· Would you be in favour of a zoning bylaw in line with the OCP?
Rick - Yes, believe in density.
Caroline - Trigger an OCP review every 2 years.
Sandy - Needs to be reviewed. The 2002 OCP review involved an advisory group. The OCP encourages higher density.
· The zoning bylaw is behind, not the OCP. The zoning bylaw needs to be reviewed.
· The city views issues from a legal standpoint and does not encourage communication. How would you change this?
Sandy - Look to an independent review, would advocate a review of process.
Caroline - Big development projects may be beyond staff and could be put out to a consultant.
Rick - Staff needs to be streamlined.
· Who writes the terms of reference for engaging outside contractors?
Caroline - Would have to go through policies to identify past engagements. Would implement a strategically chosen committee.
Rick - Agree with a selection committee.
Sandy - Agree. Staff would not go outside the community.
Bruce Cownden thanked the candidates for their presentations and participation in answering questions.
Helen Sims reported that Dave Willie, candidate for Mayor in Qualicum Beach was in attendance and may well like to make a presentation.
Bruce Cownden reported that at the time of setting up the agenda for this meeting there was not a contender for the Mayor’s position in Qualicum Beach. Bruce welcomed Dave Willie.
Dave Willie
· Challenging the position of Mayor due to policy and good governance going by the wayside in Qualicum Beach with the present Council.
· Believes in adhering to policy with proper consultation with the community at large on all issues.
Council Candidates in attendance:
Bruce Cownden running for councillor in Parksville
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 A.M.
Next General Meeting: Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Parksville Community Centre, 7:30 A.M.