JBNA - twenty years and going strong

By Tim Van Alstine & Marg Gardiner

November was the 20^th anniversary of the registration of the James Bay land-use committee, now known as the James Bay Neighbourhood Association, JBNA. Thanks to the members over the years and a heartfelt thanks to the approximately 40 members of the James Bay community who have served on the Board over the years.

Change often results from dispute and conflict. As a response to the re-development land-rush from the 1960s through the 1980s which resulted in the replacement of houses with apartments and high-rise buildings, earlier resident associations led initiatives which convinced the City to use zoning tools to contain the increasing density of the neighbourhood. The first James Bay Plan was completed in 1973.

The James Bay Health and Community Services Society (the James Bay Community Project) formed a committee to focus on land use and environmental issues - the James Bay Neighbourhood Environment Committee. In 1992, as the project expanded its operations, the Committee felt that the time had come for an independent organization to be formed.

Volunteers developed a constitution and set of bylaws for the new organization that would reflect the neighbourhood's values. The organization was registered in November, 1993, as the James Bay Neighbourhood Environment Association (JBNEA). The City recognised the JBNEA as the legitimate consultative body for land-use, parks, transportation and the environment. A couple of name changes later, it is now known as the James Bay Neighbourhood Association.

The basic principles of the organization remain in place to this day. It was to be accountable, fully public, with open elections amongst members, and there would be no fee for membership. It was also decided that the main criteria to become a voting member would be based on residency and attendance.

The infant organization had to immediately assume responsibility for the neighbourhood plan process (leading to the1993 Neighbourhood Plan). The community's vision was well ahead of its time in identifying areas of stability, heritage, and preservation of employment within the neighbourhood through the retention of industrial zonings on the western end. The process went through mediation resulting in a final plan adopted by Council. While the neighbourhood had won a political victory, the reality of what was to come differed.

At the same time, the Victoria Accord agreement was created. In September 1994, the James Bay Neighbourhood Plan had an extensive amendment to it, recognizing the Legislative Precinct (Victoria Accord) Agreement with itemized Goals, Policies and Recommendations placed into the James Bay Neighbourhood Plan.

Development pressure on James Bay through the mid 90s to 2008 was relentless. It came in many forms, small lot divisions, new condominium complexes, conversions from apartments to condominiums, bed and breakfasts, etc. At times the JBNEA/JBNA had to hear, under the City process of the time, as many as 3 applications for rezoning in a single public meeting. Many of these applications were at odds with the neighbourhood plan, and many residents were opposed.

In response to development proposals that were felt to be in contravention of the James Bay Neighbourhood Plan, the JBNEA, with the James Bay Action Committee, held a series of forums which involved two hundred residents over several months in 2004-2005. The objective was to revise and strengthen the James Bay Neighbourhood Plan. The City did not have an appetite for plan renewal; hence, the 1993 plan remains in effect today.

Projects can both galvanize and divide. Over the years, particularly contentious projects have included the James Bay Community project building on Michigan, the 40 Huron Street development (Shoal Point), TrendWest (WorldMark), 640 Michigan, and 225 Menzies.

The JBNA Board and other James Bay residents have been active participants in many City initiatives, reviews and studies, particularly those involving parks and public spaces, including: Victoria Accord Parliamentary Precinct Process, 1996 James Bay Transportation Plan, Greenways Plan, Beacon Hill Management Plan, creation and implementation of the CALUC process, the legal dispute over the public vs private uses of Beacon Hill Park, supporting the early Garry Oak Society, the Victoria Harbour Pathway, the Urban Forest MasterPlan, and the development of Fisherman's Wharf Park.

By 2004, complaints about air quality and transportation impacts associated with the growing cruise-ship activity at Ogden Point dominated the Community Concerns section of monthly public meetings.

During the past few years, JBNA embarked on an ambitious project of carrying out an impact assessment of the cruise-industry on our community. The project included 5-pillars, namely a comprehensive residents survey (thank-you to the 573 residents who participated), air quality analysis (thank you to Dr Stanwick, VIHA, Eleanor Setton, UVic, and the BC Ministry of the Environment), traffic volume studies, traffic noise studies (thank you to residents who contributed $ to this project) and a cost-benefit analysis. This impact assessment continues to drive environmental related discussions with GVHA, owner of Ogden Point.

The JBNA remains strong with an ever changing distribution listing of well over 200 residents and a much wider reach to the community through the James Bay Beacon. JBNA appreciates the support of the community and works towards common goals regarding the challenges ahead, the build-out of the Legislative Precinct (Victoria Accord), the rezoning of Ogden Point, and the challenges of the transportation impacts shared by so many residents, be it from buses or aircraft.

Quality of Life matters. This has been a driving theme of the JBNA Board as it has advocated for the residents in matters of land-use (residential, commercial, industrial and parks), the environment, and transportation.