Sewer/Bike Line

James Bay Neighbourhood Association

An on-going feature on land use & planning - to alert, inform, and prompt community action - and to celebrate success!

A joint presentation by Seaterra and the City of Victoria on the Dallas Road Sewer Line and Bicycle Path was the highlight of the October 2013 James Bay Neighbourhood Association (JBNA) general meeting. Seaterra is the recently minted name for the controversial Core Area Wastewater Treatment Program, a project of the Capital Regional District (CRD) scheduled for completion by 2018. The Seaterra Commission is project-specific body made up of seven professionals appointed by the CRD.

After a brief history of municipal sewage services, Malcolm Cowley, CRD Project Manager, and Steve Hutchinson of the City of Victoria Engineering Department set forth a plan for a joint CRD/City sewer line and bicycle path along Dallas Road.

A new pump station, located adjacent to the existing pump station at Clover Point, will pump wastewater through a 4-foot diameter pipe along (under) Dallas Road, past Ogden Point and along the floor of the outer harbour to McLoughlin Point in Esqumalt.

The current pumping system will be kept as-is and used as a backup during the extreme but sporadic precipitation events that may occur 1-2 times per year.

The proposed bicycle path, routed above the to-be-laid sewer pipe, will be located between the south side of Dallas Road and the existing park area along the shoreline. The proposal will see angle parking along Dallas Road replaced by parallel parking, making way for the 2-way bicycle path adjacent to the parking lane. About 1/3 of current spaces along the south side of Dallas Road in James Bay will be sacrificed. Incremental construction is planned from December 2014 to Spring of 2016.

While most speakers applauded the practicality of combining the two projects, concerns raised following the presentation included: protection of green space and treed areas along the path, delays to vehicular traffic by parallel parking vs access to an angle parking space, mobility scooters and pedicabs sharing the bike lane, bicycle/dog conflicts in shared space, and the disruption of cycle traffic occurring between parking and green space. The cycle path will be too slow for speed cyclists who will continue to share narrower traffic lanes with motor vehicles. Horse-drawn vehicles will remain on the roads. Scuba divers who currently make use of the angled parking spaces east of Ogden Point may experience reduced access to the waterfront with equipment. The need for public washrooms at Clover Point was also mentioned.

Beacon Hill Park:

Both Goodacre and Fountain Lakes were drained in September to facilitate the rebuilding of rock walls around the perimeters. Sections of asphalt path were also replaced. After years of sustained damage from deer browsing, the old rose garden near the cricket pitch will be replaced by an ornamental arbouretum. The new, expanded rose garden, including trails, pergolas and arbours, will serve as the south anchor of the linear perennial bed which is anchored on the north by the sundial and circle garden. Improvements to the rose garden are thanks to the generous gift of an anonymous donor.

BC Transit has identified James Bay as a "priority neighbourhood" - once AGAIN! What are the chances that we will see long-awaited improvements to transit service this time?

JBNA Board Renewal:  

Expression of Interest for 2014-2015 year:

One Board member, possibly two, will be stepping down next year. The JBNA Board believes it is healthy for an organization to renew, with some members being replaced each year. Are you interested in serving in 2014-15 but want to know more about expectations and commitment? Please contact Marg Gardiner, Tom Coyle, or any other member of the JBNA Board. It is important to ensure, by year's end, that any interested resident fulfill membership requirements early in 2014 (fast approaching)!

JBNA 20th year:

In November, JBNA will mark its 20th year. We would love to hear from residents who may have a story about the community which would be of interest to others.

The Victoria Accord

A comprehensive planning exercise undertaken by the city and the province in 1993, has reared its head. The objective of the Accord was to plan for the orderly renewal of the 11 acre site south and west of the Legislative Buildings. Design guidelines for a mix of community spaces, housing, and office space compatible with the needs of the Legislature and the community were created.

Next Month

Highlights at the November 13 General meeting will be the implementation of the Victoria Accord, new sidewalks on Montreal Street, and examination of the competition (marine versus air) in Victoria Harbour.

The Government of BC will be presenting a proposal to rezone portions of the parking lot areas known as Q-lot and South Block, the lots which are east and west of Menzies at Superior. In 2007, the lots were inadvertently re-zoned to exclude office space. The proposal would reinstate office use in the area. This rezoning is the first of several steps that are expected in the next year which are directed to implementing the Victoria Accord. Each re-zoning step will be brought to a JBNA public meeting.

New sidewalks - A Victoria Transportation department representative will discuss the sidewalk installation planned for Montreal Street from Simcoe to Niagara in 2014 and future completion of the Montreal Street sidewalks to Dallas Road. 

Results of a review of the regulatory framework for the Victoria Harbour Airport will be presented. The review suggests a collision between marine law and the proposed draft aeronautical standard which was created, but not enabled as regulation, over 13 years ago. The presentation may clarify why it may not be possible to formalize the Draft standard.